The Unicorn and the Wolf
by Jennifer Allen
"Return to Hogwarts"
It had been 18 long years since she had graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was from the infamous class of 1978. She graduated with the likes of James Potter, Sirius Black, Lily Evans, Severus Snape and Remus Lupin.
Artemis Southerby was 35-years-old and looked young for her age. She had long sandy-blonde hair that was twisted into a messy bun. Her deep blue eyes took in the entire school. Black banners still hung on the walls of the great hall, reminders of the tragic death of Hogwarts student Cedric Diggory. With the regeneration of Voldemort, the magical community was becoming more nervous and edgy.
She had been extremely surprised to see an owl arrive a week ago carrying a letter from Albus Dumbledore asking her to come to Hogwarts to teach. Teacher? That came as a shock to her. The letter explained that the current Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Rubeus Hagrid, was off on important business and the position needed to be filled. She had a lot of experience with magical creatures. She spent most of her life researching various creatures and had two long-running popular feature stories in the Daily Prophet based on the lives of Unicorns and Hippogriffs. She guessed that was one of the reasons why she was invited by Dumbledore to teach at Hogwarts.
The other reason was Voldemort. She had a little run-in with the dark wizard a year out of Hogwarts. She nearly lost her life. James Potter and his friends rescued her.
She escaped, but Voldemort had the last laugh. She could never have children again. She had hid herself in Hogwarts' Infirmary for a week, crying and wishing she were dead. She couldn't stand it. He dream of having a family was ruined. She disappeared from the wizarding world. Hiding from everyone, even the one she loved. It wasn't until the tragic deaths of Lily and James Potter that she returned. Her heart broke when she watched their bodies being laid to rest. Lily was a very good friend of hers and James...she owed her life to James. She couldn't bare to look at anyone. Somehow she felt responsible. Maybe if she had joined Voldemort, Lily and James would still be alive. But maybe she might have ended up being the one to kill them. At least their son, Harry was still alive. He somehow stopped Voldemort when no one else could. Harry...was he the light of hope?
She strolled down the hall towards Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle was already aside and she could hear someone arguing with Professor Dumbledore.
"YOU CAN'T LET HIM COME BACK!"
"Calm down, Severus. Have a lemon drop."
"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! YOU CAN'T LET HIM COME BACK HERE! HE'S DANGEROUS!"
"Nonsense."
"HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE..."
"Oh my," Dumbledore interrupted, "it looks like our new professor has arrived."
Artemis could see Dumbledore and Snape. Snape hadn't changed much since she had left. He still had the patented Snape Scowl. His eyes softened a touch when he saw her.
"Morning, Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape," she acknowledged.
"Artemis, so glad you could make it."
"Artemis?"
She gave them a small smile and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She was extremely nervous as she entered Dumbledore's office. Fawkes bobbed his head in her direction as she entered, making her smile.
"You're looking healthy, Fawkes."
"I'll take my leave, Dumbledore," snarled Snape. "But don't expect me to be warm and friendly to him. Artemis."
She watched Snape leave. "He hasn't changed much."
"Yes. Severus is a little cranky over the Defense Against Dark Arts position going to someone other than himself."
Fawkes let out a melodic cry and began primping his beautiful fiery feathers.
"Sir, why exactly did you ask me to teach here? I'm not exactly a professor."
"Nonsense. I think you would make an excellent teacher."
"It has to do with You-Know-Who, doesn't it," she asked. "I really don't need protection."
"Of course you don't," he replied. "But a certain student will appreciate having a family
friend as a teacher."
"You don't mean..."
"Harry Potter."
She found her way to the staff quarters fairly easy. A painting of a woman sitting at a desk protected the hidden entrance.
"Angel's Dust."
The painting swung aside, letting her enter the room. She quickly found her room and began unpacking. A worn copy of Care and Identification of Magical Creatures was placed upon the nightstand next to the bed. She magicked her clothes and robes into the closet. A knock on the door interrupted her unpacking.
"Come in," she replied. "Professor McGonagall!"
"I'm glad to see you're in good health," smiled McGonagall. "I thought you would like to know that we have to meet down in the great hall in an hour. The Sorting will begin 30 minutes after we meet, then Dumbledore's message and finally dinner."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."
"Artemis, please call me Minerva. We're working together now and it feels quite awkward hearing 'Professor' from another teacher."
"Okay, Pro...er...Minerva. Thank you."
Artemis smiled as she watched Minerva leave. She wondered if she was still as strict as she was during her years at Hogwarts. Not dwelling on the thought any longer, Artemis quickly finished unpacking, placed her trunk at the end of her bed and changed out of her travelling robes and into her new ones. With ten minutes to spare, she made her way down to the great hall to meet with the other teachers and more importantly, get a look at her students.
Students filed into the hall and sat at their designated tables: Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Artemis found herself sitting next to the right of Severus and to the left of an empty seat.
"Our DADA teacher hasn't arrived yet," explained Minerva.
Artemis nodded and watched as more students enter. She watched as a girl with bushy brown hair talking to a girl with bright red hair sat down at the Gryffindor table. Two boys, a redhead and Harry Potter, followed the girls to the table.
She felt her eyes begin to water as she stared at him. He looked just like his father but had his mother's eyes. He was talking to the redhead animatedly, probably about Quiddich.
Severus let out an angry snort as he watched Harry sit next to his friends. It was common knowledge that Severus hated Harry's father. A prank had almost gone out of hand and James, having second thoughts, saved Severus.
She watched as the old Sorting Hat was brought out and placed upon a stool at the center of the hall. Minerva McGonagall led all the first-years into the room and the Sorting began.
Her mind wandered to the day she was first sorted. I She was just a scared 10-year-old who had never heard of wizardry until the day she got her letter. She listened as each name was called and each new student was sorted into a House according to his or her strengths. She was right behind Severus when he was called and the hat was placed on his head. The hat screamed 'Slytherin' and Severus tried to remove the hat. It didn't come off. He screamed and screamed and pulled and pulled but it remained in place. She began to scream too because she was next. Professor McGonagall was so angry when she and the other teachers removed the spell. Severus joined his table, but not before glaring at a group of first-year boys, whom she soon came to know as the Marauders. Artemis had to be constantly reassured that the hat was not going to eat her when her name was called. 'Gryffindor,' the hat called. She had been sorted into the same House as the Marauders./i
McGonagall retrieving the hat and taking the stool into another room interrupted her memories. Professor Dumbledore then spoke, informing the new students about Hogwarts' rules, including the "don't go into the Forbidden Forest" speech.
"For those of you who don't know, Hagrid won't be teaching this year."
A cheer erupted from the Slytherin table.
"I would like to introduce..." A young man with messy brown hair with a few small gray streaks and wearing tattered robes with patches made his way to the table.. "Ah, Professor Lupin, I'm so glad you made it."
Artemis stared in shock. 'Remus? Remus was here?'
"As I was saying, you have a new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. I would like you all to give Professor Artemis Southerby the same consideration you give Hagrid."
A snort echoed from the Slytherin table. Artemis couldn't take her eyes off of Remus. He looked as handsome as when she last saw him. He looked a little tired, some dark circles under his stormy eyes. His gaze met hers before he moved across the staff table and sat in the empty seat next to hers. She heard Severus let out an angry snort and glare at Remus before digging into dinner. She felt even more nervous than before. It was going to be a very interesting school year.
The tables were cleared and the students trudged to their Houses to get a good night's sleep before their first day tomorrow. Artemis stifled a yawn and watched the Gryffindor children climb the stairs to their rooms. She missed those days of innocence. Severus was speaking to her and startled her out of her thoughts.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry, Severus. I wasn't paying attention."
"I made a potion to help you sleep. It's in my office. I'll bring it to you."
"Thank you," she smiled.
Severus swept out of the great hall and down towards the dungeons to collect the potion. Both she and Remus stood and moved towards the staff quarters. Only teachers who were heads of their Houses slept in the same quarters as the students. Remus stopped to talk with Dumbledore and a twinge of hurt twisted inside of her. 'Of course he wouldn't want to be near you. After what you did, why would he?'
She trudged up to the staff quarters.
"Angel's Dust."
The painting swung open, revealing the bedrooms. Severus was waiting there for her, holding a goblet of steaming liquid.
"Here you go, Artemis. This will give you a dreamless sleep. It's nasty tasting, but does the trick."
"Thank you, Severus," she hugged him, surprising him. "I'm glad I can count on you."
He flustered, blushed and swept out of the room, not before glaring at Remus and snarling out "Lupin."
Remus stared at her for a second before going into his room. She sighed and entered her own. She drank the potion quickly, wincing at its bitter taste. She immediately flicked her wand, causing the lights to go out and she soon entered a dreamless sleep.
by Jennifer Allen
"Return to Hogwarts"
It had been 18 long years since she had graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was from the infamous class of 1978. She graduated with the likes of James Potter, Sirius Black, Lily Evans, Severus Snape and Remus Lupin.
Artemis Southerby was 35-years-old and looked young for her age. She had long sandy-blonde hair that was twisted into a messy bun. Her deep blue eyes took in the entire school. Black banners still hung on the walls of the great hall, reminders of the tragic death of Hogwarts student Cedric Diggory. With the regeneration of Voldemort, the magical community was becoming more nervous and edgy.
She had been extremely surprised to see an owl arrive a week ago carrying a letter from Albus Dumbledore asking her to come to Hogwarts to teach. Teacher? That came as a shock to her. The letter explained that the current Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Rubeus Hagrid, was off on important business and the position needed to be filled. She had a lot of experience with magical creatures. She spent most of her life researching various creatures and had two long-running popular feature stories in the Daily Prophet based on the lives of Unicorns and Hippogriffs. She guessed that was one of the reasons why she was invited by Dumbledore to teach at Hogwarts.
The other reason was Voldemort. She had a little run-in with the dark wizard a year out of Hogwarts. She nearly lost her life. James Potter and his friends rescued her.
She escaped, but Voldemort had the last laugh. She could never have children again. She had hid herself in Hogwarts' Infirmary for a week, crying and wishing she were dead. She couldn't stand it. He dream of having a family was ruined. She disappeared from the wizarding world. Hiding from everyone, even the one she loved. It wasn't until the tragic deaths of Lily and James Potter that she returned. Her heart broke when she watched their bodies being laid to rest. Lily was a very good friend of hers and James...she owed her life to James. She couldn't bare to look at anyone. Somehow she felt responsible. Maybe if she had joined Voldemort, Lily and James would still be alive. But maybe she might have ended up being the one to kill them. At least their son, Harry was still alive. He somehow stopped Voldemort when no one else could. Harry...was he the light of hope?
She strolled down the hall towards Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle was already aside and she could hear someone arguing with Professor Dumbledore.
"YOU CAN'T LET HIM COME BACK!"
"Calm down, Severus. Have a lemon drop."
"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! YOU CAN'T LET HIM COME BACK HERE! HE'S DANGEROUS!"
"Nonsense."
"HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE..."
"Oh my," Dumbledore interrupted, "it looks like our new professor has arrived."
Artemis could see Dumbledore and Snape. Snape hadn't changed much since she had left. He still had the patented Snape Scowl. His eyes softened a touch when he saw her.
"Morning, Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape," she acknowledged.
"Artemis, so glad you could make it."
"Artemis?"
She gave them a small smile and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She was extremely nervous as she entered Dumbledore's office. Fawkes bobbed his head in her direction as she entered, making her smile.
"You're looking healthy, Fawkes."
"I'll take my leave, Dumbledore," snarled Snape. "But don't expect me to be warm and friendly to him. Artemis."
She watched Snape leave. "He hasn't changed much."
"Yes. Severus is a little cranky over the Defense Against Dark Arts position going to someone other than himself."
Fawkes let out a melodic cry and began primping his beautiful fiery feathers.
"Sir, why exactly did you ask me to teach here? I'm not exactly a professor."
"Nonsense. I think you would make an excellent teacher."
"It has to do with You-Know-Who, doesn't it," she asked. "I really don't need protection."
"Of course you don't," he replied. "But a certain student will appreciate having a family
friend as a teacher."
"You don't mean..."
"Harry Potter."
She found her way to the staff quarters fairly easy. A painting of a woman sitting at a desk protected the hidden entrance.
"Angel's Dust."
The painting swung aside, letting her enter the room. She quickly found her room and began unpacking. A worn copy of Care and Identification of Magical Creatures was placed upon the nightstand next to the bed. She magicked her clothes and robes into the closet. A knock on the door interrupted her unpacking.
"Come in," she replied. "Professor McGonagall!"
"I'm glad to see you're in good health," smiled McGonagall. "I thought you would like to know that we have to meet down in the great hall in an hour. The Sorting will begin 30 minutes after we meet, then Dumbledore's message and finally dinner."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."
"Artemis, please call me Minerva. We're working together now and it feels quite awkward hearing 'Professor' from another teacher."
"Okay, Pro...er...Minerva. Thank you."
Artemis smiled as she watched Minerva leave. She wondered if she was still as strict as she was during her years at Hogwarts. Not dwelling on the thought any longer, Artemis quickly finished unpacking, placed her trunk at the end of her bed and changed out of her travelling robes and into her new ones. With ten minutes to spare, she made her way down to the great hall to meet with the other teachers and more importantly, get a look at her students.
Students filed into the hall and sat at their designated tables: Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Artemis found herself sitting next to the right of Severus and to the left of an empty seat.
"Our DADA teacher hasn't arrived yet," explained Minerva.
Artemis nodded and watched as more students enter. She watched as a girl with bushy brown hair talking to a girl with bright red hair sat down at the Gryffindor table. Two boys, a redhead and Harry Potter, followed the girls to the table.
She felt her eyes begin to water as she stared at him. He looked just like his father but had his mother's eyes. He was talking to the redhead animatedly, probably about Quiddich.
Severus let out an angry snort as he watched Harry sit next to his friends. It was common knowledge that Severus hated Harry's father. A prank had almost gone out of hand and James, having second thoughts, saved Severus.
She watched as the old Sorting Hat was brought out and placed upon a stool at the center of the hall. Minerva McGonagall led all the first-years into the room and the Sorting began.
Her mind wandered to the day she was first sorted. I She was just a scared 10-year-old who had never heard of wizardry until the day she got her letter. She listened as each name was called and each new student was sorted into a House according to his or her strengths. She was right behind Severus when he was called and the hat was placed on his head. The hat screamed 'Slytherin' and Severus tried to remove the hat. It didn't come off. He screamed and screamed and pulled and pulled but it remained in place. She began to scream too because she was next. Professor McGonagall was so angry when she and the other teachers removed the spell. Severus joined his table, but not before glaring at a group of first-year boys, whom she soon came to know as the Marauders. Artemis had to be constantly reassured that the hat was not going to eat her when her name was called. 'Gryffindor,' the hat called. She had been sorted into the same House as the Marauders./i
McGonagall retrieving the hat and taking the stool into another room interrupted her memories. Professor Dumbledore then spoke, informing the new students about Hogwarts' rules, including the "don't go into the Forbidden Forest" speech.
"For those of you who don't know, Hagrid won't be teaching this year."
A cheer erupted from the Slytherin table.
"I would like to introduce..." A young man with messy brown hair with a few small gray streaks and wearing tattered robes with patches made his way to the table.. "Ah, Professor Lupin, I'm so glad you made it."
Artemis stared in shock. 'Remus? Remus was here?'
"As I was saying, you have a new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. I would like you all to give Professor Artemis Southerby the same consideration you give Hagrid."
A snort echoed from the Slytherin table. Artemis couldn't take her eyes off of Remus. He looked as handsome as when she last saw him. He looked a little tired, some dark circles under his stormy eyes. His gaze met hers before he moved across the staff table and sat in the empty seat next to hers. She heard Severus let out an angry snort and glare at Remus before digging into dinner. She felt even more nervous than before. It was going to be a very interesting school year.
The tables were cleared and the students trudged to their Houses to get a good night's sleep before their first day tomorrow. Artemis stifled a yawn and watched the Gryffindor children climb the stairs to their rooms. She missed those days of innocence. Severus was speaking to her and startled her out of her thoughts.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry, Severus. I wasn't paying attention."
"I made a potion to help you sleep. It's in my office. I'll bring it to you."
"Thank you," she smiled.
Severus swept out of the great hall and down towards the dungeons to collect the potion. Both she and Remus stood and moved towards the staff quarters. Only teachers who were heads of their Houses slept in the same quarters as the students. Remus stopped to talk with Dumbledore and a twinge of hurt twisted inside of her. 'Of course he wouldn't want to be near you. After what you did, why would he?'
She trudged up to the staff quarters.
"Angel's Dust."
The painting swung open, revealing the bedrooms. Severus was waiting there for her, holding a goblet of steaming liquid.
"Here you go, Artemis. This will give you a dreamless sleep. It's nasty tasting, but does the trick."
"Thank you, Severus," she hugged him, surprising him. "I'm glad I can count on you."
He flustered, blushed and swept out of the room, not before glaring at Remus and snarling out "Lupin."
Remus stared at her for a second before going into his room. She sighed and entered her own. She drank the potion quickly, wincing at its bitter taste. She immediately flicked her wand, causing the lights to go out and she soon entered a dreamless sleep.