Chapter 36: Time flies when having fun

The rest of the evening then passed a lot happier, with the highlight being a Howler from Mrs. Weasley. Sirius showed Harry a handy little spell with which he could tune down the volume of a Howler to a normal speaking voice - something the marauders had needed to invent after becoming the pranksters they were famous as - and so the three of them listened amused to her ranting. She was actually rather good in insulting Sirius, from telling him she was disappointed how childish he seemed to be, to calling him selfish for not letting a secret organisation (that didn't even seem to do much) living in his house for free... She even once threatened him that if he didn't open his house again they might kick him out of the order, to which Sirius started laughing loudly, explaining to Harry how he hadn't wanted to rejoin them anyway.

Before Harry had told him about Voldemort's weird change of heart that was still to be proven, Sirius had been more than ready to fight against him, just not on those conditions anymore. So he - and Remus, who he had seemingly dragged along - had basically left the order already anyway, it was just that nobody else seemed to have noticed it yet.

ooo

The three of them had a lot of fun this following week, exploring the house and the grounds around it. Harry finally learned how large the property really was - certainly a lot bigger than he had thought, as the arrival point of the Portkeys already was very close to the front door. People wanting to visit him without those Portkeys - that only worked for people that were keyed into the wards and those touching the object at the same time as them anyway - had to apparate to outside of a gate and then if they were let in walk for maybe a minute on the gravel path leading through a lot of trees. The wards then went from the gate along a tall wall that surrounded the property. The house itself was even more heavily warded than the property and Sirius explained to him how the structure of the wards was built and which wards were put where and with what exceptions. It sounded really interesting and Harry listened attentively, once more feeling that knowing about warding seemed to be a rather useful skill, really. Maybe he should honestly think about this as a career path.

Besides that, Sirius continued to help Harry with his apparition skill and it worked out surprisingly well. At the end of the week, Harry was able to apparate from one end of the property to the other without splinching - thankfully! - and both Sirius and Remus told him that if he could do this, he was able to apparate anywhere else too. He still wanted to keep it a secret for the time being, maybe it would help him one day? It couldn't hurt to be underestimated after all.

ooo

When the break was over, Harry felt well-rested and happy. He had done all of his homework with the help of Remus and had devised a plan together with Sirius of what to tell Dumbledore should he ask about his whereabouts - although they were mostly sticking to the truth as Dumbledore couldn't enter Potter Manor without Harry allowing it anyway and this made a great excuse as to why Harry would most certainly not go back to the Dursleys this summer.

Another thing he had done was answering his fanmail. At first he hadn't been sure what Sirius had been talking about when he mentioned it, but then he remembered how his godfather had mentioned in passing that he was creating some sort of mailbox for him over Christmas. It was outside of Hogwarts, so that it wouldn't interfere with his studies, and both Sirius and Harry could add someone to the list of people that could send letters directly to him, but that didn't mean that he wanted to ignore the anonymous fanmail forever again. And he had gotten a lot of it, some of it answers to the huge package of letters he had sent out over the last holidays, some apologies after the Daily Prophet printed the article rectifying his reputations and a lot of other stuff, now that he was the public's darling again. Of course, some hate mail was there too, but he just threw those letters away and that was it.

It was rather annoying, but with his standardized answer letters he only had to write very few individual responses... And it did feel kind of nice that so many people seemed to love him - or, well, the 'Boy-Who-Lived', really. He would never be another Lockhart, of course, but he guessed being that popular did have its merits, really.

Thankfully the stack was much smaller than over Christmas, so with Sirius and Remus helping him again there was quite a bit of free time left, for example to explore the surrounding forest a little or just fly around on his broom, enjoying the view at the manor from above. He didn't dare going too high as he did not know how far up the wards went, but he had been high enough a few times to see that there was even more forest behind the wards.

He didn't even think about Easter besides the small package of colourful eggs he got from Mrs. Weasley, but even then he just sent back a polite thank you, not thinking the day as anything special anymore. It helped that Sirius and Remus didn't celebrate it either though.

ooo

Of course even then, one week was horribly short, especially when having fun, and so Harry found himself back at Hogwarts in no time at all, enjoying another calm ride with the Hogwarts Express together with Neville and Luna, who looked even closer than before, admitting after a question Harry couldn't hold back that they had met up over the holidays, with Luna showing Neville all kinds of curious plants that were growing around their house - like dirigible plums - and Neville showing quite some interest in her father's collection of oddities. It sounded pretty nice and Harry happily listened to them talking, although he was glad that eh could finally tell them a little bit of what he had done without fearing he'd give away some Order internals or whatever.

But he was also glad to see Ron and Hermione again, even though they seemed to have gotten into a fight over the holidays, since they weren't talking to each other. Harry tried to ask but after both just evaded the question he ignored it for the time being. They would make up again, they always did. Also, they were old enough to solve those problems for themselves without needing Harry's help.

Thankfully Harry's attention soon turned to something else than his brooding friends, for while they sat at their table during the small welcome back feast they had a clear view on the teachers table and could see quite a few new faces. Most students were already whispering about it and Harry himself was really interested too.

So when Dumbledore rose to speak, the whole hall quietened down, looking expectantly at him. Harry noted in passing how the headmaster looked a little stressed out, but didn't mind too much. He had to find three new teachers, a new caretaker and a new headquarter for the Order of the Phoenix after all, and all while dealing with the press somehow. Harry didn't envy him, but also didn't feel particularly sorry. It was his own fault after all for not thinking about some things earlier.

"To everyone who arrived here today, from a week of joyous holidays, let me welcome you back! And of course, I am glad to see all the students that stayed here over the holidays too, making the castle as lively as ever." He smiled his grandfatherly smile that made Harry hide a grimace. "As you were easily able to see, we have a few new faces in our faculty. To begin with, let us all welcome our new caretaker, Madame Genevieve Ollivander!"

He pointed at a woman sitting at the end of the teachers table, who looked decidedly normal, with dark blond hair that went just barely over her shoulders, making her look younger, despite her surely being older than thirty. There was polite applause all around and a lot of whispers - had he said Ollivander? Like the wand maker? - but she just looked at Dumbledore as if waiting for something. And he seemingly gave in after a moment.

"Madame Ollivander wanted to say a few things to you, so please bear with her just for a moment before the new teachers will be announced."

Instantly, said woman stood up, now looking to the tables where the students sat.

"First of all, I know you liked to call your previous caretaker by his last name, but do not try doing this with me. I am not 'Ollivander', for that will always be either my brother or my father. And yes, I am the daughter of Garrick Ollivander, the wand maker that probably sold most of your wands to you. Still, just call me Viv, or Madame Viv if you want to be formal. And remember that just because I gave you permission to call me by a nickname doesn't mean I won't give out detentions if you can't behave like civilised young men and women. Thank you."

She sat down again, leaving the hall in silence for a moment before the whispers began anew, just to be quietened when Dumbledore now continued to speak.

"Thank you. Now, let us welcome the rest of our new staff:" He pointed to the person occupying the place next to Hagrid. "Professor Grubbly-Plank will now be the permanent teacher for Care of Magical Creatures. Since many of you already had the pleasure of working with her I am sure this will work out splendidly!" Another round of applause, with about three fourths of the hall applauding a little harder than what was considered normal politeness... Well, Harry couldn't really blame them, he really liked Hagrid and at times the man had some interesting classes too, but at other times the creatures were just too dangerous for teaching... Professor Grubbly-Plank was a lot steadier there.

"The new teacher for Muggle Studies will be Professor Tonks," Dumbledore continued and Harry abruptly turned to stare at the spot where Dumbledore pointed at. But instead of the young woman with bubblegum pink hair he saw a fair-haired, big-bellied man, much older than Tonks herself, who was smiling merrily at the students.

Harry made a mental note to ask Tonks about that whenever they would meet up again as he joined the new round of polite applause. Maybe this man was her father or uncle? Not that he minded much, he didn't even take muggle studies after all, although he could hear Hermione mumbling under her breath that she wished she wouldn't have dropped out just to see how this teacher was faring.

But that wasn't as important for there was only one person left that had not been replaced, and said person probably was the cause of most of the rumours as of yet.

A pale, gaunt-looking man sat on the place that had, at times, been occupied by Professor Binns before, observing the students. As far as Harry could see he looked amused at something while playing with a strand of his rather long, dark hair.

Of course, many of the gossiping girls had already been enthralled by him, much like what Professor Pyrites had had to endure his first weeks of being here. Actually this time the man looked even younger than their Defence Professor, although Harry found it rather difficult to judge his age.

And as Dumbledore continued to talk it became rather clear as of why that was so.

"And while it is a pity to see Professor Binns leave us after more than fifty years of teaching, we can now welcome Professor Drakul into the staff."

At that, the hall basically exploded with noise as everyone seemed to be talking at the same time.

Harry felt mostly confused. Sure, the name sounded a little like 'Dracula' but other than that...?

"Werewolves, Vampires... What comes next, a Veela teacher?", he could hear someone at Gryffindor table asking acidly.

"I think it's awesome!", Seamus disagreed. "Just imagine what he can teach us! He's been alive for centuries!"

"What are you talking about?", Dean asked, confused, speaking Harry's thoughts.

"What do you mean? There's only one Drakul in history! Vlad Drakul, a really old vampire...!", Ron explained, sounding like he wasn't sure if he was to be excited or terrified.

"Wait, so this guy up there actually is Dracula?", Harry asked, looking disbelieving.

"Exactly! He's even got a Chocolate Frog card, did you never get it?" Ron sounded almost disbelieving, but Harry could just shrug. He didn't remember ever having seen that card, so... yeah.

Hermione joined in then too, seemingly forgetting that she was angry with Ron for the moment.

"How could a vampire be a teacher here, honestly? I mean, aren't they vulnerable to sunlight? Also, why would a centuries-old vampire choose to teach a bunch of children? That doesn't make sense!"

"He might be bored? I would certainly be after being alive for centuries," one of the older Gryffindors easily answered. "Also, it's currently dark outside anyway. If he has a room without windows or darkens the windows I don't think there should be a problem regarding his aversion against sunlight."

Hermione still seemed sceptical, but in that moment a loud bang sounded from the high table, making the students whirl around to look at it. Dumbledore was standing there, wand drawn and a smile on his face.

"There. I can understand that you are all very willing to discuss this most unusual development, but I suggest first listening to what Professor Drakul has to say for himself. You can continue your talks after the announcements are over, of course."

He almost seemed to wink at them, before turning to Professor Drakul, who was now rising from his seat, a smirk still visible on his face.

"Thank you for indulging me, headmaster," he said, in a velvety voice that held only a slight accent, making some girls swoon over him. It did sound rather nice though, Harry had to agree there. "Now, I am sure many of you students are wondering a great deal about me and whether I am who you think I am. So I will clear this up for you: Yes, I am Vlad Drakul, or, to be more precise, Count Vlad Drakul, voivode of Wallachia and member of the Order of the Dragon. Some of you might also know me as Dracula, for it was me who inspired that particular piece of fiction." There were a lot of whispers again and his smirk just seemed to widen. "This also means that I am a vampire, but do not worry, I can control my desire for blood. Although I would not mind voluntary donations... But I will explain about those at a later date. That was all."

With that, he sat down again and before the whispers in the hall could get too loud, Dumbledore spoke up again.

"Thank you. Now, since we are surely all well-fed and tired, I propose all of you go to their respective common rooms to catch up on what they did over the holidays and surely exchange some more ideas about the new teachers. But don't worry, you will be seeing them in action starting tomorrow, so your curiosity will soon be satisfied. Good night!"

And with these words chaos broke out as everyone stood up, wanting to talk to friends, gossiping and generally being excited. This seemed to be almost more interesting than the beginning of a new year, really!

Harry didn't quite get it, but even he was rather interested in seeing how having a vampire for a teacher would work out. For once he was looking forwards to History of Magic the next day... It might be something different for once. They would have to see.

ooo

Of course, the next morning he found himself back in the headmaster's office. He began to seriously wonder if this was allowed, for he was pretty sure that he had been called up into this office more often in this year alone than most students were their whole seven years in school. But of course, he was Harry Potter, he had to get the special treatment again, hadn't he? Even if it wasn't what he wanted. At all. Not that Dumbledore seemed to care. He didn't even have a justifiable reason to call him here! He was only his headmaster after all, that was no reason to inquire about where he was during the holidays. But Harry tried to stay calm, remembering what Sirius and Remus had told him, what they had planned together.

So when Dumbledore looked on the table between them, gravely asking where Harry had vanished to these holidays he hesitated just enough to seem reluctant, before starting to talk.

"Well... Sirius took me to Potter Manor."

He wasn't sure if Dumbledore was shocked at this revelation or not, if he was he hid it well, as he sounded completely calm, a little apologetic even.

"So you know about it. I am sorry for not telling you earlier. Did Sirius explain to you about it?"

Harry wondered if Dumbledore was fishing for information - although if he was honest, wasn't the headmaster doing that all the time? - as he answered the way he had practised with Sirius.

"Well, he told me that this was a house my parents wanted me to live in and how many pranks they played there." And Sirius had actually done that, so Harry didn't need to act when a small, amused smile played around his lips. "Also, he said that he was keyed into the wards, which means that he can come and go there whenever he wants."

"Did he tell you why he chose to bring you there instead of the headquarters of the Order?"

"Well... He said he kicked everyone out," Harry admitted, knowing that feigning ignorance in this wouldn't work. "But I don't really know why."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, as if in understanding.

"I see..." He then leant forwards a little bit. "And I am sure you had a fun holiday, but alas, I have to ask you to try and talk sense into your godfather..."

He sounded almost sad, making Harry frown in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"I do not know why he closed the doors to the headquarters for the time being, but if you could try and convince him to reopen them it would benefit us all... I am sure Sirius had his reasons but this is a major setback in the fight against Voldemort, so please, explain the situation to him if you can," Dumbledore explained.

It seemed as if he really couldn't reach Sirius himself, Harry just couldn't imagine being asked for help otherwise. Although he was surprised that Dumbledore didn't flat out ask about getting keyed into the wards of Potter Manor, but who knew why the man was omitting this piece of information now...

"I can try, but I'm not sure he will listen to me," Harry answered nervously after a moment, pretty sure though that this wouldn't be happening, even if he would actually try and convince Sirius of this.

Dumbledore nodded slowly.

"Of course, I understand. Although I fear that if you do not manage this task I am not sure when we can move you from your relatives. We need to find new headquarters and ward them accordingly, so please, do try your best..."

Harry stared at the table between them in surprise and anger. Was Dumbledore now blackmailing him into this thing? He couldn't believe it!

"Alright, I will try..." he muttered, unable to keep keep the anger completely out of his voice and as such sounding a little strained. But Dumbledore just sighed.

"I know this irritates you my boy, but I will try my best to manage something at least before the end of summer holidays. Earlier of course if we manage to get our headquarters back."

"...I'll talk to him," Harry said, before standing up. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to keep this act up, he was seriously getting angry now. "May I go? I don't want to be late for History of Magic..."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Certainly, I don't want to keep you. Oh, and before I forget: Your first Occlumency lesson will start on Thursday morning. You have a free period there usually if I am not mistaken?"

"No, sir, it's true," Harry agreed quietly. Of course Dumbledore knew, he had cancelled Pyrites' lessons after all...!

Still, he quickly bid the headmaster goodbye then and hurried to the Great hall, hoping to at least catch some leftovers from breakfast before having to go to History of Magic.

And he definitely had to check if there was a rule against summoning a student to the headmaster's office that often... Just in case.

Somehow I get the feeling that I'm rather good at making breaks with writing this story whenever it gets actually interesting... Sorry about that!
My reason is still the same as ever, work, and meanwhile I couldn't help but working on a smaller side-project because my muse decided to take a break or something... But I'm back again for the time being and I'll do my best! :)

And a big thank you to everyone who's actually still reading this, especially if you leave a review too! (Honestly those little emails from FFnet are what always remind me to come back and keep writing despite everything, I don't want to disappoint you all if possible...!)

Soo, other than that... As this chapter finally announces the new teachers (plus caretaker) - what do you think? I know quite some people would have liked to see Charlie for ComC, but honestly, I think Professor Grubbly-Plank was the safest bet there and Charlie probably likes his dragons way too much (and as he doesn't know about Zephyr... well, I guess he likes Romania more). But I'm sure it would have been very cool too!
The other choices might be a bit more... controversial though, so... Feel free to share your thoughts!

Next chapter will contain Harry's first interesting lesson of History of Magic ever I'd say (if we don't count the one where Binns explained about the Chamber of Secrets that is) so stay tuned!

Regards, Violet-san