We were in a room; both me and Daphne were sucked from the Atrium and arrived in what appeared a room that had marble floors, marble walls, all inlaid with gold. Furniture was like new but appeared to be from the far, far past. The guy on the cloud appeared and laughed… "You must really be confused."
"No shit…what is going on now?" I asked not expecting an answer.
Realignment for both of you to be precise, it seems your nemesis has activated another ritual that has ramifications."
"Harry who is this and why are we here?"
"Since you are here and this is not one of my dreams I think I can explain."I received a nod from cloud guy. "While this room was only described to me by Sirius it is the entry to the world I was raised in."
"I see that Sirius has tried to explain to you the unexplainable. You are here while the world you know is reestablished to Fates standards. Your Voldemort has again tried a ritual that would assist him but it ended in the total disaster for your world."
"What about my parents and friends?"
"Young lady, the only people that will be affected are your Voldemort supporters. They have been sent to take the ministry but have actually been sent to their fates by Voldemort plan."
Before she could ask more or… "Daphne relax you or I have no effect on what these powers are doing, all we can do is hope for the best."
AND so we returned to the world we remembered. Well sort of…
Book Signing Today by World-Famous Author Gilderoy Lockhart the sign displayed. I had a nasty flashback. Could the Wesley's have picked a worse day to…? "It's him!" Molly squealed. But Ron and Ginny Weasley were not eleven year old; they appeared to be sixteen year old.
I stopped and then dragged a stunned Daphne to where I could find a Daily Profit. The date showed that we were in the same day and year as we had left. I only wished that Daphne and I could get a shot of fire whisky at the Leaky Cauldron. We settled for a meal and talk at the Flaming Dragon restaurant.
"So now some of my time in Hogwarts makes more sense. I always thought that the change of some things seemed odd."
"Welcome to my world even if I never noticed the changes in Hogwarts."
"So what do we do Harry?"
"I have no idea other that you were with me to meet the cloud guy and I think that Fate has declared that you belong with me."
"Wow that is really something to consider I guess."
"Well let us take these bags and head to Hogwarts… POP! … Harry Potter sir it is Dobby's and Winky's responsibilities to take your belongings and sort them."
I looked at Daphne and she looked at me in total confusion. We handed over our shopping and the elves disappeared.
"Any idea Harry?"
"Not in the least, lets head towards Hogwarts and see if we are supposed to be there or Number 12 or the Manor."
There was no one at Number 12 so we headed to Hogwarts.
It was as if we had not left, everything was the same at least it appeared so. Even the seventh years that were fined by the Wizengamot were glaring at us in the Great Hall.
Well that lasted until the arrival of the meal. Professor McGonagall appeared, Mr. Potter the headmaster whishes your presents after you finish eating."
"Harry, what do you think the old coot is up to this time."
"Again I must say I have no idea."
We soon approached the gargoyle and were entering Dumbledore's office.
"Harry my boy and Miss Greengrass of course."
Daphne and I had discussed why I was "Harry my Boy" and why it was still "Miss Greengrass". His familiarity was concerning.
One thing he didn't know was of a conversation on the train to Hogwarts. Was the conversation relayed to the headmaster to cause trouble? The question would be… trouble for whom?
During the train ride:
"Hermione you ran the DA last year?" This had gotten our attention as we walked by a compartment. "Are you going to continue this year? And, if so is the DA was open to Slytherin."
"Of course it is." Hermione stated, "No house is excluded." Hermione had chirped in apparent glee at the possibility of an increase in the DA. "The only requirements are that you abide by the rules and sign the contract. We use the contract to prevent our association from being exposed... As long as you obey the rules, participate, and help each other then you will have no problems." We caught Hermione's smile in the reflection in the glass and she had sat back down.
End of what was overheard:
"Now Harry my boy I have no objection to their activities as did Miss Umbridge but unfortunately I have a problem hiring new DADA professors. While I have obtained a really great new professor he has some problems. As this is in life and you have not much to do within Hogwarts I would like to offer you a teaching position. You would teach the first two years and fill in when the new professor is unable to in the upper years. How does that sound to you?"
"This offer would make me a professor and not just a teacher's apprentice/assistant?"
"Indeed! A full professor, Harry my boy, with full privileges."
"I am happy to accept you offer headmaster."
While I was happy to take the job I was wondering, was this so he could have me under his thumb? How did he seem to know what I was thinking? As far as he knew I had no real qualifications. Fate or someone had made sure that I was trained and a qualified wizard. No not OWLs or NEWTs but mastery's in a number of subjects. I really wanted the guy on the cloud to show up to explain how he or the Fates were going to register me with the ministry. Hogwarts along with the board of governors and the ministry required a professor to have mastery in a subject before teaching at Hogwarts.
Daphne had remained quiet but now was squealing and had me in a hug of squashing proportions. So much for being known as the ice queen.
/Scene Break/
At first I was scared to an extent but the first year class was eager to learn. Although I could see the pureblood advanced training in some but soon that started to even out as I taught. My big challenges were the older years. The teacher that Dumbledore had hired was more than competent but he was in Dumbledore's age or older and he could only teach for so long before he needed a day or two to recuperate. Then it was my turn to deal with years of incompetent instruction and pureblood theology from previous years. I could only hope I was making a difference. But then there was always Fate's manipulation.
/Scene Break/
"Harry, Gabrielle has complained of harassment because of our relationship. Do you wish to handle this or should I do something?"
"No Daphne, I will give it a shot and if it doesn't work I will support your actions."
After a short talk with Gabrielle I had the crowd of what was referred to as the purebloods group in her year group. Gabrielle being part Veela only increased the tensions. That's when I had an idea how to slow down or stop the whole idea or problems, I hoped.
I asked the named students to stay after class and started my spiel.
"Now boys, I asked you to stay after class to help you avoid a serious Veela happening. Now I know that you must have noticed or been informed that Gabrielle is part Veela. Now that may cause you to have strange feelings which are normal because of her allure. Should you cause any problems it will cause you and your fathers severe problems. How you may ask, first off is how a French girl in Hogwarts? First there is the headmaster. Oh this will be only the start. Next will be the ministry who allowed her attending Hogwarts on the behest of the Minister of France her father. You must fight the allure or you and your family could be under the most horrendous sanctions known to purebloods in the magical world." I almost laughed at their response which was looks of? I hoped it made an impression or at least to some of their thinking.
/Scene Break/
Over all I was happy and not happy. Sirius followed Gabrielle to and from class but I was not able to do so with Daphne because of my teaching obligation. While troubles within the school were reduced there were soon troubles for us outside Hogwarts.