Chapter1-The New Arrivals
Harry, Ron and Hermoine stumbled into the great
hall, on time for the second year in a row.
They took their places at Gryfinndor (spelling??)
table and sat through the sorting.
When the
sorting was over, Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome, Boys and Girls. Before we
begin the feast, I have a few matters to clear up. Firstly.." But Dumbledore
never finished his sentence, because all of a sudden the doors of the Great
Hall flung open, to reveal a short figure. The figure walked, slowly, to the
Teachers table.
"I believe
you were expecting me?" Harry gulped. Although the figure, dressed in a black
shirt, pants, boots and cloak (the cloak had flecks of gold and silver on it),
looked like a male, with shoulder length honey coloured hair, it was actually a
female. With the most melodious voice Harry had ever heard.
Dumbledore
smiled. "Yes, I was. Care to take a seat?" The girl sat. Dumbledore finished his speech. "As I was
saying, we have Professor Richmond
here, as our new Potions Master, Professor Snape has sent his apologies but is
laid up with a very severe case of, uh, anal retention." Harry looked at
Hermoine. "Snape's Constipated" she whispered. Ron doubled up in silent
laughter. But Harry was puzzled. There was no Defence against the Dark arts
teach.
"Lastly,
I'd like to introduce our guest. Stand up lass." The girl stood up "This is
Astrid. Astrid Dumbledore." The whole school gasped. A relative of Dumbledore's
at Hogwarts?
"Astrid, be
a good lass and stand up and say a few words." Astrid stood up.
"Hi." Harry
studied the girl's features. Small nose, pale skin, small mouth, big aquamarine
eyes that seemed to being staring straight at him. Then they weren't.
"I'm
Astrid, and I'm 15," She was in Harry's year "I'm not exactly here to learn,
but
Uncle
Dumbledore can tell you about that." Her mouth snapped shut, and she sat down.
Dumbledore said nothing. Then he stood up.
"Astrid is
here to teach. Now, eat."
All the
students dug in. Except Harry. And, although Harry didn't know it Malfoy was
also staring at Astrid, a look of disbelief in his eyes.
