Well hello again. I hope you've all enjoyed the half-blood prince and that youre going to be continuing with this even though it is now officially a bit AU. I do plan on incorporating certain things into the storyline but I have my own plot so it's not going to be 100 canon compliant.
Certain things will crop up and certain things won't – I guess you'll have to keep reading to find out what. Things I've already indicated, like the new lessons, etc, are going ahead despite the fact they don't fit in with the book. Anyhow I'll stop there and let you read the chapter.
Note: the next few chapters are going to be packed with lessons and there will be some OC's. If any of them start looking a bit Mary-Sueish, let me know and I'll fix it.

The First Day

It was, Harry thought, the most oppressive meal he'd ever had in his life.

No one had bothered with breakfast, the Daily Prophet having stolen what little appetite anyone had managed to dredge up. Nonetheless they had all traipsed down to the Great Hall at lunchtime as no one wanted to stay in the Common Rooms where the absence of friends and housemates was so glaringly obvious.

Not, Harry thought as he looked around, that the gaps at the House tables were really any better.

The skinny sixth year Slytherin Nott was back, as were Arden Harris, Li Su and Patricia Stimpson. For all he knew some of the others could have returned too – he didn't know them all well enough to spot them.

He didn't think so though. There were just too many empty seats.

His eyes narrowed as they swept the hall. In fact, there seemed to be more empty seats then before.

Neville looked up from where he was shredding a piece of toast into smaller and smaller pieces and caught his eye. He turned to see what he was looking at.

'Some of them are in the Hospital Wing,' he said. 'Mostly first years. They had really bad nightmares so Madam Pomphrey gave them Dreamless Sleep.'

'How'd you know that?'

'Gran gave me stuff to drop off at the Hospital Wing.' He shrugged. 'Didn't even think of it till this morning.'

Harry couldn't blame him, their minds had all been occupied with darker thoughts last night.

Seamus glanced across. 'I heard the Robertson twins have gone home. Their uncle showed up about 11 o'clock last night and just pulled them out of school. They're leaving the country.'

'I heard,' interrupted one of the third year girls 'that there were loads of parents on the lawn this morning, all wanting their kids out of Hogwarts, that's where Dumbledore and the other teachers are now.'

Everyone turned as the headmaster and the rest of the staff came through the door at the back of the hall to take their seats.

Lunch was eaten in interminable silence. Harry felt sick and he didn't think he was the only one. The noise of the Headmasters chair scraping back came as such a shock that he actually jumped.

Dumbledore looked older than Harry had ever seen him, the lines on his face seemingly etched twice as deep as before and his eyes lacking their customary twinkle.

'It is with regret that I must inform you that several brave relatives of our students lost their lives last night. My deepest sympathies go out to their families.' He bowed his head for a moment in silence and then looked across the room sternly.

'Should I find that anyone within this school has been harassing those students who return to us then they will be immediately expelled.'

Although his gaze did not for a moment linger on the Slytherin table Harry felt sure the remark had been aimed squarely at Malfoy, who had been sniggering away to Crabbe and Goyle throughout the speech. The blonde Slytherin was looking like someone had cancelled Christmas.

'The Fat Friar,' he continued, gesturing at the Hufflepuff ghost, 'has kindly agreed to hold a remembrance service on Sunday in the grounds for all who wish to attend. Now, we must do our best to move forward, little though we may feel like doing so at this time, and to that end I have a few announcements.

Your timetables will be distributed to you now and classes are to begin straight after lunch. Thea Harman,' at this the witch Hermione had previously pointed out rose and smiled briefly before sitting back down, 'has kindly agreed to take over the teachings of Potions…'

A chorus of muttering immediately rose at this unexpected development and Dumbledore's blue eyes began to regain their twinkle and he said 'allowing our own Professor Severus Snape to share his expertise in Defence Against the Dark Arts.'

'YOU WHAT!' Harry yelped, thankfully slightly muffled by a chocolate éclair and the exclamations of the other students. Not muffled enough, however, as Snape turned his nastiest smile on him while the Slytherins banged their goblets on the table and cheered.

Harry heard a weak moan and looked around and then down, to where Neville had almost slid under the table. His eyes were glassy as they met Harrys. 'Another two years of Snape. And I thought it was over,' he said weakly as he slid even further down, until all that could be seen of him was the top of his sandy brown hair.

Harry could've sworn he heard the words 'We're doomed, we're all doomed!' coming from under the table.

He was just about to reach over and help Neville up when a pair of hands grabbed his upper arm in a vice-like grip.

'Two years?' Nevilles words had obviously just penetrated. 'With Snape?' He shook his arm violently.

'You've got to set the DA up again mate, soon, very, very soon!'

Hermione and Ginny moved in to pry Ron's fingers from his arm and Hermione patted his hand comfortingly. Harry was still trying to rub feeling back into his arm.

'This weekend, Ron, promise.'

'Security measures both here and in Hogsmeade have been greatly improved over the summer but I ask that all of you remember to act with the utmost caution and care. Should you notice anything suspicious it is to be reported to a member of staff immediately.'

He paused. 'It would not be the first time that Lord Voldemort has attempted to interfere with matters here at Hogwarts. What is important to remember is that he has always failed.' He smiled at them. 'Always. It does not do to let fear rule you. I have faith that each and every one of you is strong enough to face the future with courage, and stand firm against the darkness.

Now, Mr Filch has asked me to remind you that the list of banned items, which now includes a blanket ban on all Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, is available in his office should anyone wish to read it. A list of the new rules put in place to assure your safety has been pinned to the noticeboard in each Common Room. I must ask each of you to read and abide by them. Prefects, I trust you will see that that is carried out.

Now, if everyone is finished I am sure you are all eager to discover which exciting realms of knowledge you will be entering this afternoon.' He clapped his hands sharply and a scroll appeared beside each plate. Harry heard a distinct plea of 'please not Dark Arts, please not Dark Arts' from Nevilles position underneath the tablecloth.

'I believe that is all for the time being so off you trot!'

Dumbledore made little shooing gestures with his hands as everyone rose in a clatter of crockery and a scraping of chairs. As Harry tried to simultaneously read his timetable and avoid walking into people he could hear the headmaster talking quite seriously to Professor McGonnagal.

'Isn't it wonderful how many words there are to motivate people into movement? I've always been rather partial to 'scarper' myself, it brings back memories of my misspent youth. Of course 'vamoose!' is a marvellous word in its own right, don't you think? And 'tootle.' Speaking of which it is about time we tooled off ourselves. Coming?'

McGonnagal was looking thoroughly bemused, a common state for people who tried talking to Dumbledore. The man was definitely missing a few marbles.

He turned back and ran smack into Hermione, who almost snatched the timetable out of his hand.

'Oh good,' she said, handing it back. 'We've all got Wandless Magic next – I can hardly wait.'

Looking down at his timetable Harry saw that he had at least one of his new lessons a day, though considering how packed the timetable was it wasn't really surprising. He just wondered where they were supposed to fit in things like homework. And Quidditch Practice!

Ron was beaming at his timetable. 'Look at all these empty spaces! An extra long lunch on Monday, Tuesday morning free, a lie in on Wednesday and two hours off in the afternoon, another long lunch on Thursday and another two hours off in the afternoon and how fantastic is this – Friday afternoon and not a single lesson! Ace! Think I'm going to like sixth year.'

Harry looked over Hermiones shoulder and whistled. 'Where's your timeturner Hermione?'

'Oh honestly Harry, its not that bad!'

Maybe it wasn't, Harry conceded, since there was only one lesson in each slot, but it was certainly full. There weren't many gaps on her timetable and sixth and seventh year lessons ended later than the rest of the schools. Although at least they wouldn't be staying up late for Astrology any more.

'Well, we've all got Wednesday morning off, the hour before lunch on Thursday and the hour after lunch on Friday,' Harry said, checking his timetable again. 'Other than that it's all different.'

'Well, you and me have time off when Hermione's at her Rituals class,' Ron said. 'And Arithmancy.'

'And we've got a few hours together when Harry's in Herbology,' put in Hermione. 'And I think we've passed the classroom already.'

They turned around and backtracked down the corridor until they found the classroom, which was surrounded by almost the entire sixth year group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs.

'Looks like Wandless Magic was a popular choice,' Harry remarked.

'Well we might as well go in,' said Hermione. 'The teacher isn't here yet but its better than waiting in the corridor.'

They trooped in and quickly claimed a set of desks near the front.

'Can't wait,' said Seamus as he took the seat behind them. 'Should be well ineresting, eh?'

'Indeed it will be Mr Finnegan,' came a voice from the doorway. 'You can count on that.'

The teacher was fairly young, in his early thirties by Harry's guess, with fair hair and somehow familiar blue eyes. Harry was sure he had seen them somewhere before but was given no time to figure out where as the Professor immediately began to speak.

'And can you give me an example of Wandless Magic Mr Finnegan?'

'Elemental Magic, Sir.'

'Quite right. The talent for Earth, Wind, Fire and Water Magics is fairly common among witches and wizards. Most people have at least one Elemental Talent although very few are capable of mastering its higher disciplines. You aren't likely to be summoning fireballs or casting tornadoes if you have elemental magic.'

Several people looked disappointed.

'No, as a rule Elemental Magic is far less flashy. For example, the strongest elemental magic in the school is Professor Sprout's. In fact it is quite rare to find a herbologist who possesses absolutely no talent for Earth Magic. Similarly, while many people enjoy flying or playing Quidditch those people who are most at home on the back of a broom, those truly exceptional fliers almost always have some air magic.'

Harry wondered suddenly if this was the explanation why being on a broomstick had seemed to come so naturally to him, that first flying lesson in first year.

'Water and Fire often crop up among seers, though there are few enough of those about and Fire is better known among Enchanters for some reason. Some feel that that Elemental talent corresponds to ones nature – fire denoting leadership qualities, air a creative imagination and so on but I'm not convinced. We will be testing for Elemental Magics later. Now, any questions so far?'

Megan Jones had her hand up and was chosen. 'Sir, is it possible to have more than one element?'

'Oh yes, quite common in fact. Professor Snape for example has absolutely no Air Talent whatsoever but does possess a fair amount of Earth, Water and Fire Magic. It is in part what makes him such an exceptional potions brewer – he has an instinct for the correct temperature, the exact moment to add the next ingredient and so on. Oh you can become a Potions Master without any Elemental Magic whatsoever but Professor Snape's talent does give him a bit of an edge. Anyone else?'

He looked around. 'Very well then, another wandless talent?'

'Parseltongue,' came Zacharias Smith's snide voice.

'Ah yes. Parseltongue is a very rare talent, giving the user not only the ability to talk to snakes but also a certain amount of power to command them. You'll need to know something of its history and what it does but as it cannot be taught we won't be spending much time on it. Another, Mr Weasley?'

Ron looked a little shocked to be called on, since he certainly hadn't had his hand in the air but he nonetheless managed to answer 'Metamorphmagic.'

'Another rare talent, though not nearly so rare as Parseltongue.' The teacher began. 'A Metamorphmagus is able to change their appearance at will and as it is an innate magic their disguise cannot be penetrated by magic. I was lucky enough to attend school with one and if it hadn't been for her habit of falling over her own feet we would never have been able to keep track of her.

Again though, this is a magic that cannot be taught. Can anyone name me one that can?'

This time, to her obvious satisfaction as her hand had been reaching further and further into the air with every question, Hermione was chosen.

'Occlumency,' she replied promptly.

'Very good Miss Granger. That is certainly a magic we will be spending a few lessons on. Occlumency and Legilimency are the twin arts of protecting ones own mind and breaching the defences of someone elses. The Dark Lord is recognised as an extremely powerful Legilimens so we will be covering basic methods of protecting the mind later on in the term.

Now, as our little quiz has no doubt demonstrated, there are a number of magics that involve absolutely no wand work whatsoever. We will be covering some of these in class, others you will merely read about. Should any of you wish to make a start on that reading now I suggest you do so at the chapter marked 'Overview of Elemental Magics.' When I call your name you are to join me here at the front for testing. Hannah Abbot?'

Harry doubted that anyone would was looking at their books as they watched Hannah step up to be tested. The Professor had laid a small iron box on his desk and flipped open the latch. There, nestled on a bed of black velvet were four eggs of highly polished white stone.

'Now don't be nervous, nothing to worry about. These are my testing stones, they're made from a crystal which is particularly susceptible to elemental magic.'

His fingers danced over the stones before he plucked one out. 'Now, if you would cup your hands like so and concentrate on the stone. Just focus on the stone. There we have it!'

The look of sheer amazed delight which spread over Hannah's face as the stone began to glow a soft green was a picture and Harry couldn't help but smile. Hannah blushed as the class cheered.

'Settle down,' the teacher admonished with a smile as he removed the first stone and replaced it with another. 'It'll be your turn soon enough!'

They watched the second stone for a long moment before he replaced it with the third. "No luck there then.'

There was no luck with that one either but the last stone, while it did not glow, was tinged ever so slightly blue as Hannah handed it back. The Professor popped it back in its box and made a few notes on a piece of paper before he looked up.

'Well done Miss Abbott, a fine Earth Talent and a slight Water Talent. Very well done. Now, Susan Bones?'

The testing continued, stones glowing blue and red and green and white to varying degrees.

Hermione had ended up with a moderate water magic and a slight fire. Neville, who had been petrified that he would get up there in front of everyone to discover he had no talent whatsoever, had a slight Water Talent and an Earth Talent so strong that it caused the stone to glow a brilliant deep green and the Professor to remark that it was one of the strongest he had ever seen. Harry noticed that Hannah Abbott in particular was gazing at the other Gryffindor with something approaching awe.

Soon it was Harry's turn and he was cupping a dazzling white stone while Ron applauded. 'The Professor smiled. 'A very strong Air Talent, not surprising considering the tales about how good you are on a broom. Now this one.'

The second stone glowed red. 'Not a bad Fire Magic either. Try this one.'

Harry concentrated on the stone but not even the faintest hint of a tint showed on its surface. 'Ah well, not to worry. And the last one.'

Harry was surprised and pleased when a tinge of green showed through and the class applauded. He was only the second person in the class to show three Talents, with Susan Bones having shown Earth, Fire and Water.

'Three Talents Mr Potter, very well done, just a trace of Earth Magic.'

Harry couldn't help but snigger as Zacharias Smith, who had all but swaggered to the front, discovered he only had a very weak Earth Talent and nothing else. He felt rather sorry for Ron though, who was last to be tested and was obviously worrying that he would be the only person there with no Elemental Magic whatsoever.

He knew what Ron was thinking because his hands were shaking slightly as he made his way up to the front and his freckles were standing out a bit more than usual.

'Ah, Mr Weasley, let's try this one first shall we?' The first stone didn't react. 'And this one.' Neither did the second. Harry noticed that Ron was looking rather sick and Hermione was leaning forward in her seat, fingers twisted together tightly.

It was with a sigh of relief that he saw the third stone begin to glow red and then the last glow white.

'Moderate Talents in Fire and Air,' the Professor pronounced as he closed the lid on his stones and made a last notation on his list. 'Well done Mr Weasley.

Right, we're coming to the end of our time together now and I'll be seeing you all tomorrow afternoon so for now the only homework is to read 'Overview of Elemental Magics' in preparation for our next class.'

He began to pack up his brown satchel while the students put away their quills and parchment and was almost to the door when he turned around. 'Any qestions?'

'Ah, Professor?'

'Yes Miss Brown?'

She coughed. 'What's your name?'

The blue eyes began to twinkle and he grinned as he said 'How very remiss of me not to mention it.'

Recognition hit Harry just as the teacher opened the door ready to duck out quickly, still grinning widely.

'My names Dumbledore. You can call me Professor Owen.'

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'I wasn't hearing things, was I?' asked Seamus. 'He did say Dumbledore?'

Everyone was still reeling from the shock as they walked into the Charms classroom.

'Well it makes sense, doesn't it?' Hermione said bracingly. 'After all everyone knows Dumbledore's the best wizard at Wandless Magic since Merlin. It must run in the family.'

'Still a bit weird though,' put in Ron. 'I mean, can you imagine a Mrs Dumbledore? And little Dumbledores? Or teenaged Dumbledores?' He suddenly looked ill. 'Female Dumbledores?'

Seamus shuddered. 'I don't think I want to imagine that.'

Luckily Charms required all their powers of concentration as Professor Flitwick began to lecture on conjuring and by the time they left Harrys hair was sticking to his forehead from the effort, an effort which had failed to produce the cup of Green Tea Flitwick had asked of them.

Hermione was sipping hers from a china cup painted with delicate violets as they left the Entrance Hall and headed across the grounds to Hagrid's.

Their steps slowed as they caught sight of the long wooden trestle tables laid out in the field beside it.

'D'you think its too late to just drop the lesson?' Ron said pleadingly.

'Where's your Gryffindor spirit?' asked Neville.

'Back at the castle where the rest of me wants to be, that's where. I mean, last time he set us up one of these 'projects' of his it was those bloody skrewts!'

'Well, too late to back out now,' said Harry. 'Here he comes. Hi Hagrid!'

'Hello you lot, bit of an easy firs' lesson but don't worry, I'll have everythin set up fer next time,' he rubbed his enormous hands together. 'Can't wait. Now, gather round everyone.'

The handful of continuing students moved somewhat reluctantly towards the big metal vat the half-giant was stood beside.

'Now these her,' he began, plunging his hand in and coming up with what looked like a rat with slightly greenish fur 'are Murtlaps.' He picked up a silver knife and turned the struggling Murtlap over so they could see the slimy purple growth on its back.

'All I want yeh to do is grab yer Murtlap and cut the growth off like this.' He made a swift movement with the knife and threw the growth, which looked a bit like a sea anemone, into one of the glass jars of liquid on the table. He then put the Murtlap in an empty vat. 'An that's all there is to it!

'Yeh've got a lot ter get through, they're wantin them up at the Hospital Wing as well as the Potions Cupboard so let's get crackin, eh?'

'This,' Harry said firmly, up to his elbows in rats. 'Is disgusting.'

Ron nodded emphatically, then swore as he struggled with a particularly large Murtlap that had sunk its teeth into his finger. Even Hermione was wrinkling her nose as she dropped the growth into what smelt like pickling vinegar.

'You two!' Hagrid yelled at Crabbe and Goyle. 'Stop chuckin em about before I chuck the pair of yeh out of my class! Righ,' can anyone tell me what Murtlap growths are used fer?'

'Pickled Murtlap growths promote a resistance to curses and jinxes and a used in several potions, including Shielding Solution.'

'Right yeh are Hermione, five points ter Gryffindor. Useful little things, they are, but yeh don't want ter eat too many or yeh'll start sproutin purple ear hair.'

'I don't really want to eat any of them,' Ron said, eyeing them as they floated in their jar and looking a bit green.

'An' can anyone tell me where Murtlaps are usually found?'

'By the coast.'

'That's right. 5 points to Ravenclaw, Brocklehirst. An that's where we'll be shippin the little beggars back to once we're done with them.'

The bells in the clocktower began to chime six and everyone laid down their knives and Murtlaps with relief.

'All righ' everybody, pack away. I'll see yeh Thursday, straight after breakfast.'

Harry and the others trooped away with relief.

'Good thing we made some of that Antiseptic Balm over the holidays, wasn't it Harry. I told you it would come in useful. I think we could all do with some,' said Hermione.

'And a bath,' added Neville. 'We might have time for a quick shower before tea though.'

It was only as they sat down to a meal where the main topics of conversation were new spells and classes and teachers, that Harry realised just how wise Dumbledore had been, giving them no more time to dwell on what had happenned but instead making them focus on other things.

There were still gaps at the tables, and people were still worried about their friends and housemates but the first shock, the sense of nothing in the world being quite the same ever again, was fading under the weight of normality.

As Harry tucked into a plate of sausage and mash with onion gravy, appetite restored, he thought the headmaster had been very clever indeed.

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Ok, well that's the first day done with and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the week. Let me know what you thought of it. I'm seriously short on time right now so I won't do review responses just yet but they are all read, much appreciated and taken on board. I'll get back to you soon on the next set of classes.

Cheers,

Walker-of-the-shadow-path