{Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World was created by J.K. Rowling. I own only the characters that I created and the plot.}
{Author's Note: We got this far without him, but it wouldn't be a Harry Potter fan fic without Harry Potter.}
Chapter 4
The Start of a New Time
**How long must this go on?/ The cruel trick of fate/ I simply made one careless, wrong decision/ And then that witch is gone/ And left me in this state/ An object of revulsion and derision/ Hatred/ Is there no one?/ Who can show me/ How to win the world's forgiveness? "How Long Must This Go On?" Beauty and the Beast**
Snape stalked the hallways, going no where particular, and looking quite menacing. He was in a bad mood. Things had gone from bad to worse. First, yesterday, the Death Eater, including himself, had taken over Azkaban. He had rescued a convicted murder with no memories save for a few random things. To make things worse, the girl turned out to once have been a Gryffindor. Snape hated Gryffindors; they were all obstinate mules. Of course, Dumbledore had let the girl stay at Hogwarts and become his assistant. Snape had never needed an assistant before, but Dumbledore had convinced him to keep her. Dumbledore had mentioned that Snape would be sent on some missions concerning the activities of the Death Eaters and having someone readily available to take over the teaching of his classes would be a good thing. Reluctantly, Snape had agreed.
He had given the girl a test to see if she knew what she had been doing. He watched her carefully from the shadows in one of his laboratories. She was efficient and knew what she was doing. The complex healing potion had turned out close to perfect, as well as he could have done. Snape had never expected this to happen. Only a few people that he knew of could brew this potion. He would never tell her that of course. He wondered who she was.
Dumbledore had looked her up in the past lists of all the students that attended Hogwarts. She hadn't been there; the page in which she should have been on was gone. There were no records of her name in Azkaban or any of the record books that Azkaban kept of all their prisoners. She was only named by a number.
Snape had named her alright. He called her Pit bull because she had attacked him twice within the time that he had known her. She had taken out a good handful of Death Eaters armed with only a spear and no magic. She was like an attack dog ready to strike at anything unknown. He found the name quite appropriate.
Dumbledore had let her choose her own name since she could not remember what she had been called before. It would have made everything much easier if she had remembered who she was. She had given herself the name of Esperenza 'Peri' Lynx. Lynx was just as appropriate as Pit bull. She was just as wild and untamed as the forest cat.
Snape was still in a bad mood, though he never usually was in a good mood either, so the mood was typical. The other teachers that were there ignored him and gave him a wide berth in the corridors. They knew never to mess with him when he was in a mood like this.
The semester would begin in two days time. All the professors where already there, working on lesson plans and making certain that they had the materials that they needed. Professor Lupin had returned again to instruct the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, bring with him a large black dog who was affectionately name Snuffles. Few knew what the dog actually was, but most believed that he was just Lupin's new domestic companion.
Snape rounded a corner and promptly collided with someone. "Watch where you're going!" He looked down at the person and glared. After less than a moment he recognized who it was. "Pit bull. What the hell happened to you?"
She grinned slightly. "Professor Dumbledore decided that the Death Eaters might recognize who I am so he changed my appearance."
Her appearance had changed. The blond hair had been darkened to a raven color. Her skin became a darker olive tan instead of the sun deprived pale white. She seemed younger, but looked more like her Spanish name.
"What else did he do to you?"
"He made me about ten years younger, so that I would look more the age of starting a teaching position."
Snape simply stared. She looked nothing like she had when he first had found her. Underneath, he decided, she still had the mentality of a pit bull.
"Now, if you would please excuse me, I need to go to Diagon Alley to pick up a few things that I will be needing. Professor Dumbledore was kind enough to forward me my first paycheck."
Snape stepped aside and gestured for her to pass. He watched her walk down the hall, head held high. This was going to be an interesting year.
(Changing perspectives…)
I arrived at Diagon Alley by Floo powder. It was an experience that I never wanted to do again, even though I knew that would have to. I stepped away from the public fireplace and pulled out the list of things I would need. Robes were a must; I would need to be clothed in something and Dumbledore had told me that Muggle clothing would not be a good thing to wear in the wizarding world. I still wore the navy colored robes that Snape had lent me yesterday along with the sandals, which he said I could keep. I would most definitely need a wand. Mine had been broken by the guards at Azkaban and burned. Snape had all the potions ingredients, though I would need some quills, ink, and parchment.
I decided that the first stop would be at Gringotts. Dumbledore had given me a key to a vault that would now be mine. I walked inside, tense and waiting for someone to come and capture me. No one did. I silently handed my key to a goblin at a desk. He called over another one of his kind, giving the key to him. I followed him to what looked like a specialized mine cart. We entered the cart. The goblin pulled down on the lever in the front. Creaking, the cart sped forward into the gloom underneath the city. The cart flew turning left, right, left again, flipping upside down. 'Gee, they could make an amusement park ride out of this,' I thought grimly to myself. It stopped suddenly in front of a vault labeled with the same number as on my key. The goblin opened it up. Upon the floor was a meager pile of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. I shoveled some of them into the bag that I was carrying. I would leave a bit incase they were needed at a later time. The trip back was just as full of twists and turns. I left Gringotts, money in hand, blinking owlishly at the sunlight.
My first stop would be for a new wand. Ollivanders was nearby. A couple was waiting inside for their son to get his first wand. I watched them from the doorway and waited for my turn. The boy's wand was chosen and paid for. The family left, leaving me alone with Mr. Ollivander.
"May I help you?" Mr. Ollivander's voice was soft and silvery.
"I need a wand."
"Then you have come to the right place. Which is your wand arm?"
"My left."
A silver measuring tape began to measure my arms, legs, and everything in between. "That's enough." The measuring tape dropped to a pile on the floor at Mr. Ollivander's command. He pulled out a box from one of the many over piled shelves. "Try this one. Holly, 10 ½ inches, with a unicorn hair."
I waved the wand around, feeling foolish. Nothing happened. The wand was snatched back only to be replaced by another. "Willow, 9 inches, with the tail feather of a phoenix."
That one had the same results as the one before. A third wand was placed in my hand. A multicolored array of sparks flew out of the tip. "Hmmm. Maple, 13 ½ inches, with a dragon's heartstring. Good for defense work."
I paid the seven Galleons for the wand and left the shop. That man was strange. I entered Madame Malkin's robe shop. A good sized crowd of people were herded inside, all wanting robes for the Hogwarts upcoming semester. There were too many people in there for my liking, but I would be patient and wait for my time. I picked up some of what the people were saying.
"We still need to buy books and potions ingredients, you know."
"I know. I need to get new robes. Mine are getting worn out. Plus, Ron needs the dress robes," the speaker gestured to a tall red head trying on a set of deep blue gray dress robes.
"Those are nice, Ron. Why don't you get them?"
"I probably will. After all, the note said to get new dress robes with the money."
The three that had been talking left after paying for the dress robes and the bundle of black work robes that the other boy had been carrying. I was next. I bought set of everyday work robes and a nice dark plum set of dress robes for just in case. That had been what I had come for: clothes and a wand.
I walked back out into the bright sun. There were so many more places that I could visit. I decided on the second hand thrift store. From what I could see through the windows everything inside looked worn, yet interesting to say the least. I opened the door. A tiny bell rang announcing my presence to the shop keeper. Everything imaginable had found its way into the shop. There were shelves of jewelry, tea sets, old robes, a good collection of used books, and some dented cauldrons that hung down from the ceiling. I wandered around the dusty shop simply looking and absorbing everything that I saw. I stopped to look at the books. Many were old and had collected the dust of the ages. Some of the pages where yellowed and titles faded. I looked through them, finding nothing that sparked my interest. Next to the books was a lighted shelf that held a collection of bracelets, necklaces, anklets, rings, pins, and hair clips. Randomly I picked up a ring just to look at it.
"Ah, you have a good eye. That ring originated from a Rom gypsy tribe that resided in Germany a long time ago. We received from a prisoner that was locked away many years ago. It is supposed to protect its wearer from evil." The shop keeper was standing behind me, looking over my shoulder. He was a tall man with a sharply pointed nose and a pair of spectacles that kept sliding down his large beak-like protrusion.
I looked over the ring. It was a simple band of silver with three raised circles that split it into thirds. Two of the sections bore a design of a larger circle in the middle with a dot inside it and two dots on either side of the circle. The third side bore the same design, but more things were added to it. A small dot was to the left and slightly up from the outside dot. On the other side, connected to the edge of the larger circle was a small circle enclosed in a diamond pointing to the northeast. The letters DOL were inscribed on the right. I found it rather interesting, familiar, like it belonged to me. "I'll take it."
The shop keeper deftly removed the ring from its chain. He brought it up to the front desk, where it was paid for. I slipped it on to my right middle finger. It fit perfectly there. I turned to leave and was almost tripped by a furry beast that had entwined itself between my legs. "Hello there, cat."
The cat looked up at me and purred loudly.
"You found her. I was wondering where she had run off to. That cat is more trouble that she's worth. She's yours if you want her. We've been trying to get rid of her for about a year now," the shopkeeper peered over the counter at the cat, who had flipped over to have her stomach rubbed.
"I'll take her. She seems to like me well enough." Like might have been too weak a word considering that cat was ecstatically purring as I rubbed her stomach. I stopped. "Come along, cat. You're mine, now." Surprisingly, the cat stood up and started to follow. The shop keeper watched us leave, happy to be rid of his irksome beast.
I looked down at the cat. It was a small fluffy calico colored beast that did not look like she could hurt a flea. She cocked her head up at me to give a questioning squeak. "Alright, cat. You need a name. We shall call you," I paused to think. "Wyvern, just because you remind of a little, troublesome dragon."
Wyvern started purring again. "I guess that's fine with you. I suppose we ought to be getting back to Hogwarts. Come here." I picked up the little beast and put her on my shoulder. There was an empty fireplace that could be used for transportation. I tossed a handful of Floo powder into it and jumped in, holding my packages tight. We arrived by at Hogwarts in the fireplace in my room. I set Wyvern on the floor with the rest of the bundles. "Okay, cat, this is your new home." Wyvern promptly leapt gracefully onto a burgundy colored chair, curled up, and went to sleep. I shook my head at her. Cats…
My robes were folded and placed in a chest at the end of the bed. The wand I took out of its box. It was beautiful. I had no recollection what my wand had looked like before when I had had one. This one shone a warm honey yellow in the flickering flames of the fireplace. I waved it around experimentally. I would have to find a book of spells to refresh my memory. There would be plenty of those in the library. "Be good, Wyvern. I don't want the room destroyed when I return." The cat made no movements to show that I had been heard.
The library was still empty. Obviously, the librarian wouldn't enforce her usual strictness until the students arrived. I found a few book are rudimentary level spells and started reading them. Some of the spells I remembered, others I had never heard of before. I had gone through two and a half book when I felt a tug at my sleeve. There was a small creature with large pointed ears and saucer eyes, wearing a towel and a tea cozy as a hat sitting on the table by my left elbow.
I blinked a few times to bring my eyes back into focus. "What the heck are you?"
"I is a house elf, miss," the creature squeaked in a high pitched voice.
I thought for a moment as to what a house elf was. "House elf? House elf? Oh! House elf. I'm sorry; I was concentrating on the books. What are you called?"
"I is called Nolly, miss."
"And why are you here?"
"Professor Dumbledore sent I to finds you. He be wanting to talk with you, miss."
"Oh. Fine. Tell him that I will be right there."
"Yes, miss. I is going right away." The house elf disappeared.
I sighed. I put the book back where I had found them. They would be finished later. I found Dumbledore's office and recalled the password (Blood Pops) from when Snape had spoken it before. The gargoyle leapt aside to let me pass.
"Ah, yes, Peri. The house elf gave you my message, I presume?"
"Yes, sir, she did. What did you want to see me about, sir?"
"There are a few matters pertaining to Professor Snape that I would like you to be aware of. Firstly, I believe that you know he is a Death Eater, correct?"
"Yes, I do know that. I also figured out that he is not completely loyal to the Dark Lord and works on both sides."
"Very nice inference. You are correct in that matter. Now, Severus does work as a double agent to give me along with the rest of our side information of what the Death Eaters are doing. I am afraid that he will be taking a few weeks leave just as this semester begins. He will be here for the first day of classes, but after that he will be gone until Halloween. Do you think you can handle his classes?"
I knotted my eyebrows doubtfully. "I think I should be able to, as long he gives me a lesson plan as to what I'm supposed to teach."
"Then it is settled. You shall have your lesson plans and he will have a replacement professor. Now to more current matters."
"Which current matter would that be, sir?"
"It is time that we quench our hunger with victuals."
"Dinner?" I asked. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until he had said something about food. I hadn't eaten much, save for a light breakfast early this morning and a mug of tea.
"Yes. I will be down shortly. You go on ahead. You do remember where the Great Hall is, correct?"
"I can find it, sir. Thank you." I left. Food sounded like a very good idea. I would have to learn to remind myself to eat once in a while. I knew that if I didn't, I would tend to forget.
The other professors were all seated on the high table. There were two empty seats, one obviously for Dumbledore and the other probably for me. I sat down between Snape and a shabbily dressed, gray haired wizard that I did not recognize. Professor Dumbledore entered a few moments later.
"Good evening. I hope none of you had problems arriving today. Before we begin, I would like to welcome Esperenza Lynx, who will be joining us as an Assistant Potions Master this year."
All of the professors glanced over in my direction just to see who I was. I smiled politely.
"Now, on with the meal." Food appeared on the table by magic. The food looked wonderful. I tasted most of the dishes that were there. Some were better than others, but all of them superbly prepared. I could get used to this.
"So where are you from?" the man sitting next to me asked.
I thought for a moment. Did I know where I was from? I said the first thing that came to my mind. "Sevilla."
"Where's that?"
"Oh, sorry. I'm used to speaking Spanish. I'm from Seville in Spain. In the Spanish language it's pronounced Sevilla." (It's pronounced 'Say-vee-ya,' for you non-Spanish speaking individuals.)
"And you attended the academy there?"
"Oh, yes, of course I went there, the Seville Academy of Magic, or La Academia Mágico de Sevilla, as we called it." You would think that I would have told him anything different?
"I will have to say that it is one of the few schools that I have not visited yet. How is it in comparison to Hogwarts?"
"Smaller, it is definitely much smaller. It's not a castle, either. It was built in the ruins of an old monastery. It's sort of ironic actually, having a school that teaches against the beliefs of the original founders of the place." I didn't know if I was making this up out of thin air or actually remembering stuff. I hoped it was the latter.
The man smiled. "I don't believe that I've introduced myself. I'm Remus Lupin."
"Esperenza Lynx. You can call me Peri. It's nice to meet you. So what do you teach?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Oh really? You work with all the curses and creatures and stuff then. It must be interesting."
"Never a dull moment," he agreed.
I full heartedly agreed with him. There never would be a dull moment around here, especially once the students came.
{Author's Note: I love sick days! This entire chapter was written in one day while I was home sick. Pathetic, isn't it?
Jess: ¿Piensas que español es apropiado, no? Tú comprendas que me digo. ¡Señora Swilley fue fantástica! Sí, Snape tiene una corazon además. Gracias.
Jackie: The cat would have been named Periwinkle, save that the character is called Peri. That would have caused confusion, or maybe more than there already is.
Lyansidde: Yes, that is the basic plot of what has happened. That's as far as I know give or take a few things that I want to happen that no one else knows about.
Thanks to all of you guys! Just to let you know, it took me fourteen chapters on my other story to get 10 reviews and this one I already have 6 with the three chapters that were posted! WOW! ¡VAYA!~Nataly Ravenlock}
