Chapter 3
Thomas was right. There were a lot of new teachers this year. Mostly around Thomas's age themselves. There were a few older teachers though not many. I suspected them to be a part of Dumbledore's secret society or they probably wouldn't be here either. Rubeus Hagrid had left Hogwarts for now. There was a rumor that he was on an errand for Dumbledore that was of some importance. Why Dumbledore trusted half-giants and such was beyond me. Though I'm not one to talk being a former Death Eater. In any case, Arabella Figg had taken over as The Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Remus Lupin was the new Astronomy Teacher and Mundungus Fletcher was the newest Arithmancy Teacher. Hathor Vigsen had taken over as the teacher of The Study of Ancient Runes. Where there weren't teacher jobs open, other jobs were given. Argus filch now had loads of help and almost every teacher had an assistant. Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall, Dumbledore's most trusted advisors were still here and working hard.
When I looked at all the younger teachers I wondered why I had gone for the job rumored to be cursed. Well the most important thing now is that I'm here and I can keep an eye on Harry. I hear he has a knack for getting into trouble. That will have to be stopped. I'm just glad I know the Invisibility Charm.
I looked around my classroom and began to tidy it up a bit. A few the children who had stayed over the summer and, well, let's just say they had some fun. Apparently they had filched from Filch and gotten their hands on some toilet paper. Filched from Filch, that's clever. With a quick wave of my wand I sent the toilet paper into a nearby wastebasket where it sat for a moment and then vanished.
When I was done with the cleanup, I moved the desks to the positions I wanted them in. There was a large space up front for presentations and all the desks faced forward.
By the time I was finished, it was time for the feast. I walked out of the classroom and through the halls toward the great hall. Classroom after classroom passed by as I walked through the halls. Hidden passageways that led to secret rooms and halls. This was where I belonged; this was home. I felt safe here. I took a hidden hall and ran through all the way to the next tapestry where turned and came out in front of the great hall.
I entered the hall and a waving sea of black filled my view. The students were here and obviously ready for the feast. I earned the stares of a few of the students. I was a new teacher but which subject did I teach? There were so many. They would have to wait until the introduction for that tidbit of information. I sat down at the staff table and looked around at all the students and teachers and my eyes related on one child. There he was; my nephew, Harry Potter.
He was talking to a few friends. One, a Weasley by the look of it, was laughing ferociously about something Harry had said and another with bushy brown hair and somewhat pale skin was giving them both a very stern look. I guess she didn't approve of whatever it was they were saying. I had given that look so many times in my years here that I just had to smile.
The sorting started and I diverted my attention to the hat. Child after child stepped forward and placed the hat on. All of them were placed in their respective houses.
When Zenith, Kramer was placed in Gryffindor the sorting was finished and the feast began. With looks of relief on their faces, the students began to eat. I saw a lot of older students look up at the staff table with confused and interested looks on their faces. I guess they couldn't get over all the new teachers.
When the students were too full to eat any more, Dumbledore stood up and took the podium. With a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, he began to give his speech.
"Welcome everyone, to another year at Hogwarts. Now that you've had you bellies filled and your heads nice an empty, we will attempt to teach you once more."
Suddenly there was a burning sensation on my arm. Voldemort was calling his servants. I looked over at Severus. His eyes were burning and a look of warning was plastered on his face.
"As I look at all the faces that surround me, I can't help but smile. Such innocence and such mischief," he added with a look at two red-haired boys at the Gryffindor table, "But I can also see anguish, depression, and fear. All are natural considering the facts.
"As many of you know and some of you have heard, Voldemort has returned." This statement brought a cringe from many of the students. I'm sure many fears were just confirmed. "I know that to a few of you, this comes as a surprise. But I will also tell you that we plan on doing something about it. For as long as it takes, students Fourth year and above will learn the Animagus Charm. As part of your regular curriculum, all students will be taught the Patronus Charm. Many other advanced spells will become regular. This will also require an added effort from you.
"All students fifth year and above will be asked to serve as a sort of school guard. In the event of an attack, not only the teachers will be able to hold them off.
"On a lighter note, Quidditch tryouts will begin in three weeks. Mr. Filch, our school's caretaker has asked that I announce the addition of Filibuster's Fabulous No Heat Wet Start Fireworks to the list of banned-"
With a sudden gust of wind, all the candles in the great hall went out and the room was plunged into starlight. A siren began to sound loudly and McGonagall's voice could be heard all through the castle.
