1. HARRY POTTER & THE MISSING POTIONS TEACHER
By: Maria Wood
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Previously: Chapter One
"Uh yes. Thank you Headmaster Dumbledore for the introduction," Glenda glanced at Dumbledore. "My name is Glenda Fortwright. I previously attended Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where I graduated top in my class. I specialize in Defense Against the Dark Arts," she paused as she saw Argus Filch, Hogwarts Caretaker, dash into the Great Hall gasping.
"Dumbledore, you'll never guess what I've found!"
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The whole of the Great Hall turned to see Argus Filch holding a black cloak dripping with what looked like fresh blood. "Ewww!" Pansy Parkinson screamed, fainting. Draco Malfoy shook his head, but he still proceeded to taking her to Madame Pomfrey.
"What have you found Argus? If it is extremely important, then continue. I don't think this was the right way for a Sorting Ceremony to be interrupted," Albus Dumbledore said solemly, even though he was throughly annoyed with the interruptions. He watched as the caretaker strode forward, bringing the cloak with him. "Aha. I see," Dumbledore said quietly as he examined the cloak.
"I found it in the Forbidden Forest."
There was a rumble of disapproval coming from the rest of the staff, who were listening intently. "Perhaps, this is not the best time to discuss this Argus," Professor McGonagall spoke. "After all, the Sorting Ceremony is a joyous occasion seeing that there are new students here." Argus nodded grudgingly.
"We will have a staff meeting after the Sorting Ceremony, but please Argus. Don't bring such alarm to the students. I'm surprised half of them haven't fainted from the blood dripping off the cloak, to the exception of Miss Parkinson." Albus Dumbledore looked gravely at the staff. "Let the Sorting Ceremony continue!"
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Harry Potter looked curiously at the staff, who were discussing this issue rather quietly. 'Did it have to do with a certain missing Potions teacher?' Harry was baffled. If only he could snoop around and solve this mystery. 'Perhaps Snape wouldn't be so harsh against him,' Harry chuckled at his absurdity. 'Of course Snape wouldn't lessen his rules on Harry Potter, seeing that it was James Potter who had swept Lily's heart away from Snape.'
"What could it have been?" Hermione shrugged.
"If you ask me, this is all just some big prank. Someone probably kidnapped Snape and is holding him until he agrees to raise their grade this year," Ron said snidely.
"The only person I know who needs help like that is poor Neville," Hermione said softly.
Ron snorted. "I wouldn't be surprised if it was poor Neville all along. Though I doubt he would take it as far as to kidnapp Snape. If Neville left him, he'd forget where Snape was. We all know that he relies on his remembrall to remember things for him."
They glanced down the table to where Neville was sitting with Seamus Finnigan. "Well, I'd say that it pretty much strikes Neville out of the picture." Hermione nodded, but her instinct told her to keep Neville in the 'suspects' list.
"Sherlock, do you think you can use your muggle literature knowledge to solve this mystery," Hermione inquired. Ron snorted again.
"Harry couldn't solve a mystery if his life depended on it. Are you kidding us Hermione?"
"It was just a thought Ron. If Harry says that he could solve this mystery, perhaps he could. After all, we might need him to battle off you-know-who. God forbid he should have anything to do with this," Hermione explained. Secretly, Hermione was curious to see whether or not Harry would be able to go through with his detective instinct.
"Well, I suppose," Ron said suddenly. Harry nodded.
"Then it's settled? You guys won't ridicule me until you see that I can or can't solve a mystery," Ron nodded gravely. "I don't exactly trust you after all you've been making fun of me the whole way here." Hermione shook her head. "Well, I guess it's set. You guys actually want me to find out what happened to SNAPE?!"
"Yes," Hermione quipped.
Harry gave her a menacing look. "I'm going to get you two back one of these days."
"Don't worry, Harry. You have nothing to lose." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Of course I have everything to lose! Once Snape finds out that we're on the case," Harry was paused by a rude clearing of the throat directed by Ron.
"What do you mean 'we'?"
"Uh," Harry stammered. "I mean. Once Snape finds out that I'm on the case," Harry exaggerated purposely. "He's going to have to repay a deed, and you both know how he hates that. Remember in our first year? My father saved his life. Snape had to save my life because of the fact that my dad saved his own. He wasn't willing to do it, but he grudgingly did it."
"So? Your point being?" Harry sighed exasperatedly. This was going to take a lot of work.
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The next day, the Gryffindors had a double with Slytherin in the Potions Dungeon. Everyone was a bit apprehensive about approaching the dungeons - that is except Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle - all known to have fathers in the Death Eaters. Harry observed this from a distance while Hermione and Ron made bets about the future of Harry's case.
It was unofficial, seeing that he hadn't asked Dumbledore for approval, which the wise old-aged wizard would mosy likely not give to the 'boy who lived'. Harry sighed. He wished that for once, he could become someone else. Be the boy who lived because he was born.
The Potions Dungeon was empty without the steely glaze that Professor Snape shot around. The candles were lit brightly, and there was the addition of several lamps around the room. It wasn't the dark dungeon that it was before, but something more brightly lit. Some of the Slytherins gazed around at the decoration of the dungeon that once occupied their Head of House; they obviously weren't happy, and it showed.
"Who's going to be our teacher," Ron whispered as they took their seats near the back of the room. Seamus Finnigan, who happened to be listening in on their conversation at the time, turned around.
"I heard that it's going to be the Headmaster himself," Dean whispered excitedly. He was happy for any break from Professor Snape or Professor McGonagall.
Harry sighed with relief. "You mean Dumbledore," he asked inquisitively.
"Is there any other headmaster," Hermione asked, slightly annoyed.
There was a hush as the footsteps came from outside the doorstep. "I know Albus," the voice said. Harry identified it as a male. He thought the voice was vaguely familiar. "It's not the time of month when.. you know. I'll try my best to settle them, and perhaps make the lesson a bit of fun." The man turned when he was in sight of the class, and they each held their breath.
The man turned around. "Why hello class. Fancy meeting up with you once again," the substitute teacher said cheerfully.
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I can sense danger when I'm still far away from it. Right now I can sense it at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That's the school where my God son, Harry is attending. It was the school that I had graduated from. It's also the school where I met my betrayer. The man who would betray me to Voldemort. Peter Pettigrew.
How I wonder what was going on at Hogwarts. I long to write, but it's too risky now. There are Ministry of Magic patrols around. Probably that darn crow flew to the wrong direction. Oh well.
Sirius Black frowned. He imagined that if he was to show up on Remus' doorstep, his old friend wouldn't even recognize him. However, the ministry would be using more advanced charms, and he couldn't risk it. Right now, he was writing in his journal, which was just about out of pages.
This darn journal needs more pages. I can't go on pressing my own paper and wringing it out. I suppose I'll pick up another one in Hogsmeade when I can. Perhaps I'll write Harry to ask him to pick me up one and use the Owl Post to send it to me. No. That'd involve Harry. If the ministry found out that I was still in contact with him, they'd use Harry as a tool to find me. Sirius Black, the person who was accused of killing muggles in the street.
It sounds wierd, but this journal is the only way to keep myself sane. Keeping to myself this long, it's depressing. However, I have the hope that one day I will be cleared. Then I can relive what I have left of my life in peace, and perhaps allow Harry to come and live with me - away from those wretched Dursleys.
Sirius snapped the book shut and transformed. He crouched ontop of his journal, hiding it as light streamed from a wand above. 'Drat. Broomsticks,' Sirius growled. He'd have a hell of a night. It was at that point that he knew where he was needed. Hogwarts.
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Minerva McGonagall looked at Albus Dumbledore worriedly. She'd respected the man throughout her career, both inside and outside of Hogwarts. Recently, she'd felt that he was losing his wit. That was what most of the Wizarding World had thought about him, but they soon turned to see that Albus had not lost his wisdom and wit, but gained a sense of humor that a genuis could comprehend.
He had just sent for Remus Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher three years back and werewolf, to be the substitute for Professor Severus Snape. At first, Minerva was very skeptical of the idea of Remus teaching the class once more. However, Albus was very convincing and convinced Minerva that it would fine.
"Albus," she said softly. He glanced at her, still holding several documents from the Ministry of Magic. "Do you think that Severus will show up soon?"
"I haven't a clue this time," he answered solemly. "I do think that one of our mystery-loving students is on the trail." Minerva cocked her head, rather confused at Albus' theory surrounding the discovery of Snape. "I've watched Mister Potter, and he seems very intrigued. No doubt he's got the spirit of his father. Always liked mysteries."
Minerva nodded. "Are you sure Albus? After all, he's just a child."
"That's what most people said when he was but a baby and defeated Voldemort." She flinched. "We should have faith. He's had more encounters with Voldemort (flinch) than anyone I know. Why! He and I must be the only one Voldemort is afraid of," he concluded. He glanced at his co-educator.
She shivered. "Must you call You-know-who by his real name?"
He glanced at her. "I've got no reason to be scared of him, and neither should you. It's clear that he would never attack Hogwarts. This is one of the safest places in the Wizarding World." Minerva sighed, knowing that he's right.
"I know," her voice trailed off as she went back to reading more of the inquests for next year's incoming students.
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"You all look like you've seen a ghost." Remus Lupin chuckled. Indeed he was back in teaching at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his home away from home. "Alright class. This should be an interesting potions lesson, seeing that potions isn't exactly my specialty now-"
The door burst open at that moment, revealing a very disturbed looking Severus Snape.
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Cliff hanger. What do you think has happened to Snape? More coming soon. Please review for the next chapter. All I want is one little review, and that will be fine. I'm a beginner at writing fanfics, as you can obviously see. -- Hpclue@yahoo.com