Count the Lillies

by onion


I do not own Harry P -- blablabla, you know what ..

Please read and review. This is my very first Harry fic ... so be nice.


CHAPTER ONE

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"Being a so-called lost soul isn't all that bad. you can talk as loud as you want and no one can hear you .. you can listen to people talking about their deepest secrets .. it's pure fun! But then, there's no one to share your fun, or anything, with."

"I feel like such a sucker, though. Believing that we go to heaven in the afterlife! What was I thinking? I wonder where James went. I can't believe it. I have been wandering around Hogwarts for the last 15 years. Why, of all places, Hogwarts? And not my own home? Or at least, Petunia's home? Where I can watch my son take his first steps? I wonder what is stopping me from leaving Hogwarts. A big invisible wall is built around all the possible exits .. I wonder where James had gone. That last time I saw him was when Harry escaped from Voldemort the 3rd time .. Oh, James. I remember the last words I heard him say to me. 'Lily. Watch Harry. I miss you. I love you' .. How short."

At this moment, the soul of Lily Potter is in the Defence Againts the Dark Arts dungeon, sitting on a desk, waiting for Harry. No one is in there but her. It is still dark. Completely dark, actually. The new Defence Againts the Dark Arts teacher has not arrived yet.

"I hope it's Remus. Remus, Remus, Remus. Remus loved the children as much as they loved him. He is a dear friend that I miss terribly. I would give anything for another conversation with that man. Well, hopefully the new teacher isn't Severus Snape. It hurts my heart to watch him pester my son, strutting around as if he's Dumbledore."

The door suddenly opened with a large bang. The new teacher held up a wand and put light in the room. A tall stack of hard covered text books were nesteled in the new teacher's arms, nearly falling over, as the new teacher isn't very balanced. All out of breath, the new teacher dumped all the text books on the desk. Lily put her opaqueless fingers on her mouth, gasping. Not because the new teacher is Professor Snape, but because the new teacher is a female. A female? That is so extraordinary, thought Lily. She was young, and undefinably good looking. She had long, flowing black hair all tied back, a slim body and a kind, pale face with brown beautiful Asian eyes. Lily didn't recognize this new face. Where did she come from?

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The final bell rang as Harry Potter ran to his first Defence Againts the Dark Arts class through the empty halls.

Anyone can tell that Harry had gone through puberty over the summer. His voice was deeper and more mature.

"Wait up, Harry!" called Ron from behind. His voice changed as well. Actually, most of the boys from 5th year had deeper voices.

Harry stopped and turned his head, rolling his eyes. "Come on, you guys! Ron! Hermy! We're late! Hurry UP!" Hermione Granger ran as fast as she could and stopped to take a breath, her hand leaning on Ron's shoulder. Harry, rolling his eyes again, took Hermione's arm and forced her to run. "Hurry! So we could get good seats!"

"Alright!" Hermione, all out of breath.

Hoping Draco Malfoy wouldn't tease them for being late on their first Defence Againts the Dark Arts class, the three opened the loud-creaking door slowly and tip-toed to the three empty desks at the back of the dungeon. "You're 10 minutes late."

The three felt the hairs on the back of their necks rising when they heard a female voice, almost angry at them. They turned their heads and saw the new teacher. She cross her arms and nodded. "You may sit."

"What a way to start the year, Potter!" Draco Malfoy let out a pestering, but silent, laugh. Harry ignored him.

"As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted, I come from Hong Kong. I'm sure everyone knows where Hong Kong is?" Some students nodded their heads, some politely said "Yes.".

Harry tapped Neville Longbottom's shoulder. "What's the new teacher's name?"

Neville turned his head. "Hot, ain't she?"

"She sure is." whispered Ron.

"What's her name, you dimwit?" demanded Hermione.

"McKinney. Professor McKinney ---"

"Would you like to share your little conversation with the rest of the class?" Professor McKinney said.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville froze. All eyes were on them, Malfoy grinning.

"Don't talk while I'm talking." she said. "What house are you four in?"

"G-g-gryffindor." Ron said.

"All four of you?"

The four nodded.

"I'm sorry, but you will have to keep your mouths shut. I'm afraid I will have to take 20 points away from Gryffindor. 5 from each of you."

Lily Potter glared at Professor McKinney. "Oh, Harry. Stubborn little Harry."

"We wont be doing a lesson today. But I will explain to you my rules and my beliefs." said Professor McKinney. "First of all, I do not want any one interrupting me when I lecture or give a lesson (her eyes on Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville). Second of all, I do not want anyone coming in late. That goes for you three (Ron rolled his eyes)."

"And lastly, I do not want anyone using any magic unless I say so. Do I make myself clear?"

The class was silent.

"Any questions?"

Hermione raised her arm. "Yes, miss -- er, (looking at the pictures on her class roster) Miss Granger."

"Are you the first female Defence Againts the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts?" That was a rather weird question, coming from Hermione.

"Funny you asked." said Professor McKinney. "After a very long while, yes. Yes I am."

Malfoy quickly raised his hand. "Mr. Malfoy."

"What happened to Professor Snape?"

Professor McKinney raised her left brow. "Snape? The supposed Defence Againts the Dark Arts teacher, I believe?"

Malfoy nodded impatiently. "I was told that he would be teaching the course this year."

"Well, you children have the right to know .. that Professor Severus Snape passed away over the summer."

Harry was stunned. He didn't know what to think or what to feel.

The whole dungeon started to echo buzzing of voices and whispers.

Severus is dead?, thought Lily. This is bizarre!

"Now, children. Keep it down."

"What happened to him?" said a voice from the corner.

"I don't know, actually. Nobody knows. I was told that he was found dead in his own home. But we must stop this. Let us all change the topic, shall we?"

Harry gave Hermione a frightened look.

END OF CHAPTER ONE


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So? What did you think? Well, if you want to be updated, ADD ME TO YOUR FAVORITES!! WAHAHAHA!
Who could this Professor McKinney be? Where did she come from? Of all the courses, why Defence Againts the Dark Arts? What REALLY happened to Snape?

stay tuned! wait for the next chapter!