A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands

Chapter 3: New Faces

September 1st, 1995

It didn't take a genius to figure out why the weird mood surrounding the Gryffindor table. They were not alone in their unusual actions at the opening feast, but quite a few members seemed to be going through the motions. It was one thing for Dumbledore to claim Harry had died fighting Voldemort. There were parts of that story that were simply unbelievable. But when he didn't show up at September 1st, his love of the beginning of the school year well known, it was the nail in the coffin for some of the lions who held out hope.

"Every year except second but only at the beginning," Dean whispered to Neville. "The eyes are on him even when he is dead. Remember what we talked about that night." Neville nodded, his eyes scanning the room, taking in varied emotions. Even if Harry was still somehow alive, there would be no reason to come back. In the end, the prevalent emotion seemed to be resignation, followed by a return to somewhat normalcy, continuing to re-establish the bonds that had begun on the train ride.

The sorting hat had gone with some nonsensical song about bonding together with dark clouds on the horizon. Neville barely listened, his eyes flicking around the hall. It was a new sensation for him, looking for possible exits and assessing strengths of possible allies and enemies. The information flooding into to his head was overwhelming. For a moment Neville wondered how Harry dealt it with it, and then the soothing tones of Come Together began to echo in his mind, and the nerves and overwhelming pressure lessened.

He was still Neville Longbottom. No matter what he knew and learned, no matter his goals for the year, he was the same person at heart. That realization allowed Neville to feel calmer than he had in weeks. He didn't have to change the world immediately. No one would expect him to, least of all himself. In fact, he should be more concerned about his upcoming O.W.L. intro classes than any upcoming colossal struggle.

"You ok?" Dean asked. Neville figured Dean was onto something. He had been fairly quiet even as the rest of the table burst into noise as the feast progressed.

"No," Neville replied honestly. "Don't tell me you are fine."

"I'm not about to break down, if that's what you mean." Dean leaned in closer. "What's going on with Hermione? For that matter, why are the prefect badges pinned on Lavender Brown and Ron Weasley?"

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Dean, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. It's a confusing time."

"What the hell is that?" Dean replied, and Neville chuckled to himself. "I'm not a fan of riddles, in case that was unclear."

"Don't worry too much about it. I turned down the position, even if I'm unsure why. Hermione turning the position down is the real shocker. Rough on McGonagall. The two easiest choices she ever had to make."

"Three." Neville glanced back at Dean. "You after Harry's death." He said the last few words quietly. Neville didn't react. Fleur was obviously gone, and Hermione wouldn't say a word about the graveyard. People had sensed Neville was the weak link at the end of last year, and had hounded him with questions. It was only when Neville threatened them with Harry's master that the questions stopped. Dean was fishing, it was obvious.

"That's beneath you," Neville told him. Dean inclined his head slowly, admitting the tactic. "I don't want the job. You surprised she went with Weasley over you or Seamus?"

"I doubt it was her decision, after you turned it down. You know the headmaster is close with the family. Maybe it will make him grow up. Last year I would have said Lavender is not a good partner for him, but the new version won't let him slack off."

"Fair enough," Neville agreed. For some reason, the feast seemed to be dragging on. Neville's eyes lit on the headmaster, who seemed to be waiting for something. The rest of the students were starting to get restless, except for the first years who seemed to be still caught up in the excitement and wonder of their first day at Hogwarts. The doors were thrown open and Filch raced in and ran up to the podium. A few words were exchanged between the caretaker and the headmaster. Dumbledore stood and the hall slowly quieted.

"Welcome new and returning students to another year at Hogwarts. I have just a few announcements before the prefects will lead the first years back to the dorms. To start, I always say that the forbidden forest remains as it always has, forbidden. Also, Mr. Filch has asked me to convey that the list of banned items is now up to 490 items. All of this can be found posted. But I have two new announcements of note."

The doors to the great hall swung open again and two young women entered. Neville felt the sighs from the rest of the male Gryffindors, as well as many of the other tables. It was almost like Veela allure, even if there was no tug on his mind. And even though he managed to keep ahold of himself, he did have to admit he understood the reaction

The younger of the two had long black hair and seemed to carry herself with a childlike wonder as she took in the surrounding scene. Neville would have guessed she was in fourth year, and suspected she would break a few hearts in the years below him. But she was definitely more girl than woman. It was the older of the two who had the older boys in shock.

She also had long hair best described as auburn, and Neville could make piercing dark blue eyes. While the younger was dressed in normal wizarding robes, the attire of the older was all muggle. Jeans and a blouse that revealed more than a little skin had lustful sighs echoing around the hall. And while the younger girl seemed to be taking in the experience, the older girl had a smirk on her face that told everyone that she knew they were all looking, and that she loved the attention.

"Who does she think she us?" Lavender hissed.

"Someone who knows how she looks," Seamus breathed back, and Neville silently agreed. The two girls went up to Dumbledore, and the older leaned in and whispered a few words to the Headmaster.

"We are lucky enough to have two students from America visiting this year. Both did exceptionally well at the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ms. Masterson will be joining third year, but will be in O.W.L classes for Defense." McGonagall brought forth the stool with a quick flick, and the younger girl sat on the chair, the sorting hat put on her head. For the first time Neville saw her light brown eyes, and the pieces clicked into place.

"Oh Merlin," Neville moaned quietly.

"Gods Neville, she's a kid," Dean snapped at him.

"Not like that," Neville shot back. "I think I know her."

"You do?"

"Well, I don't know them personally." Neville had to stop himself from bashing his head into the table in frustration. "But I haven't the faintest why they would be here." The hat was certainly taking its time, which suggested his guess was correct. Of course a Masterson would be near impossible to sort. Neville remembered his own discussion with the hat all those years ago. The girl would have a tough time talking the hat out of Ravenclaw or Slytherin.

"Better be Gryffindor!" The hat cried and the Gryffindor table cheered. Apparently, she had been convincing enough.

"Thank you, Ms. Masterson. In 5th year, we have Ms. Adams. However, she will be taking N.E.W.T. Potions and Herbology, and will be in O.W.L classes for everything else." Why in the world were they here? With Masterson and the brown eyes and black hair, Neville had been 90% sure. Now he was 100%, and it was a problem.

"So do we have a problem?" Dean asked quietly

"Only if someone tries to hit on the younger girl," Neville said. "5 galleons that Abigail is in Gryffindor in under a minute." He had barely finished proposing the wager when the hat placed her in Gryffindor. "Yeah, we got a bit of a problem."

"Who are they?" Dean looked at the older girl who strutted over to the table and sat next to the other new girl.

"Remember the woman who came and helped out Harry's master last year?" Neville reminded Dean, who simply nodded. She had been hard to miss, and Neville knew that Dean, who could sense general power levels, would have been able to feel the overpowering magical core from the woman who had helped take down the Nundu. "Yeah, well she is the wife of the strongest man in the world, and calls herself the strongest woman in the world, and has the power to back it up. Married to a guy named John Eagle. John Eagle has a younger brother and younger sister, and the sister married another super powerful wizard named Elias Masterson."

"The younger girl is that powerful?" Dean asked, a light in his eyes.

"Well, as powerful as someone that young can be," Neville said. He saw the light in Dean's eyes, and realized he had to cut that off right away. "But don't get any thoughts about trying to spar with her or anything like that. "She probably around my level, but Abigail is the real threat."

"Abigail? She's just a 5th year who is admitting really hot, right?" Dean was clearly confused, which Neville realized was understandable.

"All members of the Eagle family have what could be classified as a protector until they reach 20. That is the purpose of the Adams family. All the female protectors are named Abigail, and all the males named Niles. When they turn 20, they often keep the protector on as a retainer, and the relationship changes. I think the younger girl is Charlotte Masterson, and that means Abigail Adams is a real master."

"Real master?"

"Well, I can do a few things at mastery level," Neville explained. "Mastery level would be near head boy or head girl level. Maybe a little better. The barrier for mastery level for a skill or two isn't that hard, past N.E.W.T. but not much more. Not all the way through a formal apprenticeship. But a real master is different. Abigail can do everything at a level above that. Why she is in O.W.L classes doesn't make any sense. She could teach every N.E.W.T. class in her sleep."

"Is she stronger than you?"

"I think it would be a coin toss between me and Charlotte," Neville admitted. "In a year when she can learn some more serious spells, she'll probably win. But Abigail isn't even in the same galaxy. I have no doubt that unless she is under restrictions, she is the most powerful person in the school, including teachers."

"Woah." Dean was suitably stunned.

"Yeah. So please don't get any crazy ideas about trying to spar with either of them. I have no idea why either of them are here, but it isn't for anything good. Imagine Dumbledore level of talent, but when it comes to her charge, Abigail would kill every student without batting an eye."

"This all sounds insane," Dean finally said.

"If there is one thing I've learned the last year, the world is a big place," Neville replied. "Britain is one small piece of a bigger puzzle, and a pretty provincial one at that. Without Dumbledore and Harry, most of the world couldn't care about our little island."

"The second announcement is one I'm sure you are all expecting," Dumbledore finally began again, and the hall went silent." I also wish to welcome," the headmaster's face was a forced smile if Neville had ever seen one, "our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Dolores Umbridge. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck."

At the Hufflepuff table, Susan's eyes narrowed at the name. She had never heard the name before, which was bad. She knew almost everyone who had a modicum of real world defense experience through her aunt, and this Professor Umbridge had never come up. She thought back to the only time she had picked up the defense textbook and a nauseous feeling began to permeate throughout her body.

"With all that-"

"Hem Hem!" Dumbledore seemed stunned that anyone would actually interrupt him, and the new teacher took advantage of the lull to walk to the podium Dumbledore had been speaking to. "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words." She stepped in front of the podium, and Susan saw the headmaster barely control a sneer. "How wonderful to see your excited faces looking up at me."

"We have a problem," Daphne leaned to her left and muttered under her breath, so that only Susan, who was sitting her next to her, could hear her.

"I figured from the pink," Susan mildly replied. The new professor was dressed in all pink, and while wizards or witches dressing with flair was nothing new after 4 years with Dumbledore, the bright pink was a whole new level of eye-burning.

"I'm sure we will all get along very well," Professor Umbridge continued. Then the fake smile was gone. "The Ministry of Magic has always believed that the education of young witches and wizards to be of paramount importance, and a chief goal we must always improve upon. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this wonderful and historic school, progress for the simple sake of progress is no progress at all."

"Let us preserve what we hold dear and keep that sacred. We shall perfect what can be perfected, what is important to our culture and society. The ministry also believes it is high time that we prune practices that should be prohibited before they grow wild." At this Susan could swear the woman glared at the Gryffindor table. She held back a snort at the obvious double meaning. "I'm sure we will all do wonderful things this year," Umbridge finished and stepped back from the podium, to very muted applause.

"Thank you for that, Professor Umbridge," Dumbledore managed to get out, still clearly surprised from being interrupted. "Prefects, if you could lead the 1st years back to your common room." Daphne put a hand on Susan's arm and slowly allowed the crowd of students to flood out of the great hall. They left the great hall as well, but instead of going back to the Hufflepuff common room they found an abandoned classroom.

"What has you looking like you saw a ghost?" Susan joked as Daphne paced.

"Let's wait," Daphne said. "I only want to do this once, and I think I'm not the only one who got a shock." Susan cocked her head curiously, but allowed Daphne to wait. A few minutes later the door opened and Neville and Dean walked in. Neville threw himself down on a chair in frustration with a loud huff.

"I thought Daphne looked bad," Susan quipped, but Neville glared at her and Susan could tell now was not the time for jokes. "Ok, seriously, what is going on?"

"You know the defense professor too, don't you?" Daphne asked.

"What?" Neville replied, clearly confused.

"That's why you are in a mood," Daphne stated.

"Oh, no, not that. After I read the beginning of the book we were assigned, I realized she was an idiot."

"She's the worst kind of idiot, a dangerous one," Daphne started to explain.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Neville interrupted, and Susan saw Daphne raise an eyebrow. "Look Daphne, I know you probably have a lot to say about her, but can you do the short version? I do want to hear what you have to say, but I feel like I'm already overdue for a very pointed conversation with Ms. Abigail Adams."

"You know the new students?" Susan asked.

"Know of is more accurate," Dean said.

"Yeah, I guess that's right," Neville agreed after a moment. "I want to talk to Abigail before I make any sweeping generalizations but for the moment, tell your house to be exceedingly polite to the younger one. She isn't a pureblood either, her father is a muggleborn, or I guess in America they would call him a first born."

"She is powerful?"

"I mean, as powerful as someone her age can be," Neville said. "You know it isn't until 13 that you can start to really learn damaging spells. Thought I'm sure she knows a few family spells that circumvent that rule of thumb. Regardless, she isn't who you need to be careful of. It's Adams who is the threat."

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.

"Well, it's like this." Susan's mouth dropped wider and wider as Neville explained the unique situation and lineage of the two new students. When he finally concluded with the remark that it was a big world and Britain was a tiny, barely important island that the world didn't care much about, she felt a headache coming on. "So just keep your head down around them for now," Neville finished.

"Well, that's good advice for the new professor too," Daphne responded. "She is the worst kind of loyal. She'll do anything for Fudge, and whatever she is doing here, it isn't good. She certainly won't be teaching us anything of value."

"That's a shame, but it's not like we have had great defense instruction all of Hogwarts," Neville replied. "We are ahead of the curve after last year. Cedric can fill in any of the gaps for you two, and not to be too arrogant, but even a good instructor wasn't going to teach me anything I didn't already know. My summer was rough, but remarkably informative."

"But it's our O.W.L. year," Susan pointed out.

"And personally, we will be fine," Neville observed. "But if you say keep our heads down awhile, we can do that. No need to cause trouble, not this early in the year." He and Dean left, and Susan could tell Daphne was fuming.

"They are so stupid!" Daphne finally blurted out

"They aren't taking this seriously," Susan agreed. "To be fair, after what we just heard, can you blame them? They are going to be living in a tower with a girl with magical lineage that is terrifying, and the most dangerous person in this school since Harry without his restraint."

"I know," Daphne admitted reluctantly. "It does sound like they have bigger problems, but Umbridge is no joke."

"Trust me, I believe you," Susan said. "But she is a known quantity." Daphne looked at her curiously. "We know why she is here, at least in a general sense. Fudge is making a play for Hogwarts, and trying to bring Dumbledore down. Yes, that affects us and our families, but it's no surprise. I'm sure everyone will realize that soon enough. And we'll go from there, Neville included

"But it sounds like the two new girls are just as dangerous, if not more. Perhaps more importantly, Neville has no idea why they are here, and the fact is they probably shouldn't be. Hogwarts might have been one of the premier European schools of magic back in the day, but it barely is anymore. Besides, with her connections, private tutoring would have been the way to go, like Astoria is doing now."

"My advice would be let Neville deal with his own issues for a little while. If Umbridge really becomes an issue, then I'm sure he'll help out. But at the moment, all we know is that she is nasty and probably a rubbish teacher."

"Fine," Daphne huffed.

"This is so very Hufflepuff of you," Susan claimed with a small smile.

"What?"

"I mean, worrying about the education of our peers?" Susan said with a laugh. "Neville was right, you know. On a personal level, it doesn't matter what Umbridge teaches us. Between what Cedric learned this summer from my aunt and her husband, we could pass O.W.L.s with at least exceeds expectations for the practical. As far as the written test goes, I know you aren't Hermione's biggest fan, but a little studying with her should take care of the written portion. It's too early to start worrying about the end of the year."

"It's not in my nature," Daphne confessed.

"For now, I'd just go grab your boyfriend and drag him into a broom closet or something," Susan advised with a laugh at Daphne's blush. "That's what I'd do if I had one."

"You mean like how you were eyeing Neville on the train?" Daphne sneakily replied.

"I know him well, and he looks really good. He's a great guy," Susan offered. "But he did just break up with my best friend. Ask me again after Halloween. Sounds like he has his own stuff to take care of anyways."

As Neville approached the Fat Lady painting, he saw the older of the two new girls leaning against the wall. Dean patted Neville on the shoulder, said the password, and went through the wall, leaving Neville standing alone in the hallway, opposite the newest 5th year Gryffindor.

"It's Abigail, right?" Neville finally said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Abigail replied. "You are the martial artist?"

"I studied with the Hayashi school this summer, if that is what you are asking," Neville prevaricated.

"Oh, don't want to call yourself a magical martial artist yet?" Abigail laughed. "All you guys are so concerned with titles and classifications. You can use physical magic to reinforce a punch, yes? That's really all that matters."

"And you can remove my head in the blink of an eye," Neville responded. "Any particular reason you are waiting on me? Isn't your charge in danger?" Abigail just laughed at that. "Oh, is that funny?"

"If you think Charlotte can't look after herself you are crazy. We aren't here because she needs more schooling. Dumbledore is probably the only person in this school who knows the full deal, and that is because he had to approve the transfer. I'm saying hi as a professional courtesy. And to get the measure of you."

"How do you figure," Neville asked, genuinely curious.

"I'm trained to assess any possible threat to my charge," Abigail stated. "Don't think I don't see that nice shiny watch you have on. I know what is represents." She met Neville's eyes with her own and bit her lip shyly. Neville just met her eyes with an amused gaze. Abigail smiled and stepped back. "I figured it was worth a shot."

"It's not that you aren't stunning," Neville admitted. "But I'm not stupid."

"No, I guess you are not," Abigail agreed. "I'd take it as a favor if a few times this year, you could go toe to toe with her. Non-lethal only, but make her work."

"Doesn't that directly contradict your remit?" Neville asked.

"Oh, without a doubt," Abigail conceded without a laugh. "But one of the reasons she was sent here was to get her out of her routine. She needs to learn there are different styles of fighting, and more to the point, she needs to learn that there are people stronger than her that are not her friends. Right now, you probably have the edge. Just because of her age, mind you."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Neville said. "I assume you wanted to talk to me to see if I can smooth her path down."

"Actually, quite the opposite," Abigail said. "Do not misunderstand me, any serious threat will be dealt with by me, with extreme prejudice. But sometimes growth comes from danger, and dealing with issues on your own. I wouldn't tell people it's open hunting season, but let her deal with her own problems."

"Sounds like being a bodyguard is quite complicated," Neville concluded.

"Depends on the person," Abigail interjected. "Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to a good year. It was nice to meet you, Neville. You definitely are not what I expected."

"Again, I'm hoping it's a compliment." Neville extended his hand and Abigail shook it. "Nice to meet you as well, Ms. Adams."

"Help me keep her safe, and we can go with Abigail," she called over her shoulder as she entered the common room.

"Sure," Neville said to himself. He took a few minutes to compose his thoughts. She was… good, Neville admitted to himself. She came off as approachable, honest, sincere, and funny. Any other guy would have been charmed. But Neville knew it was a mask, and not one he had any intention of trying to remove. It would take a little time to see what was fact and what was fiction. But at the moment, late night calisthenics waited for no man.