Disclaimer: If I was the genius that is J.K Rowling I would most assuredly
not be sitting here typing this story up but rather typing up the fifth,
sixth, and seventh book. And as I'm typing up fan fiction, you can now tell
that I'm just a poor high schooler with no time on her hands and you can
call off the lawyers.unless they're cute.
Authors Note: Yeah, I know I have two other stories that are demanding to be written but I can only write as the Plot Bunnies demand me too, I can promise everyone that reads my other stories that they will be updated by the end of this month for I have finals looming around the corner.
~*~ The jumping and jarring of the four person carriage jolted Ginny Weasley out of the sleep-like trance she had slipped into on the Hogwarts Express. Blinking rapidly to accustom to the new surroundings, she stared at the scenery like a prisoner just released from solitary and allowed in the outside world. The passing shadows of trees dusted by twilight and the glinting reflection of moonbeams off the lakes surface drew her attention back into the reality of the world. Ever since the week before the start of school she had been falling in and out of dazes. She didn't know why but felt it had something to do with the visit to Charlie last summer.
Like in her second year at Hogwarts she had gone with her family on another vacation, this time to visit her brother Charlie down in Romania. He had finally found someone to tolerate his all consuming love for dragons and had held his wedding outdoors by a nest of baby Hungarian Horntails that had come in for study. During the procession her attention had been focused on the small, if you could call any dragon small, group of nestlings that were curled up and sleeping. Little spurts of smoke puffed out of their nostrils and occasionally one would yawn and send a jet of flame onto another's tail.
"Welcome back Sleeping Beauty," a familiar voice teased from across the seats, flowing through the night like crystal in the cold air. Ginny snapped her gaze from outside and turned to the sound like a startled deer, her eyes fixating almost wildly onto the speaker. Eternal seconds passed as her mind raced to establish identity. A jolt of adrenaline coursed through her veins to help her get over the fact that there was someone else in the carriage. As shy as she was, she had never gotten used to sleeping around others and the suddenness of a new voice had unnerved her.
The jumble of blond hair and violet eyes slowly melded into one recognizable person, a fellow Gryffindor girl in Ginny's year. Named Senna, she was one of a few people who Ginny counted as friends. Living with six brothers had somewhat isolated her from the social world of girls and she had much to learn when she first came to Hogwarts.
"Ginny?" Senna asked tentatively, her eyes searching the other girl's face for a signal.
Like lightning from Zeus's hand the drowsiness left her body and alertness filled it to the brim. Another rapid blinking session got rid of the haze clouding her vision and she refocused her gaze on her companion. "Sorry, I'm always like this right before school, what were you saying?"
Shaking her head, Senna dismissed her friends odd behavior, "Did you get any sleep last night Ginny? You zonked out on the train and then sleep- walked into this carriage."
"Must not have," Ginny released a yawn and turned back to the window. "I think it's the thought that Fred and George won't be here this year. I was so used to them and now, there's no more pranks at 1:00 a.m. anymore."
"I'll bet five galleons that Professor McGonagall will be relieved at that." Senna chuckled, "they were the bane of her existence, weren't they?"
Ginny grinned and shook her head. "Actually, at Charlie's Reception, he got married this summer, I saw her and the twins laughing hysterically at one of their latest products." Ginny thought back to the day and a soft giggle escaped her lips. "maybe she was just like that when they were at school. You know how strict she is."
"Yeah, Professor McRepressed and Neurotic comes to mind when we speak of her." Senna muttered and the two launched into a discussion about their professors until the carriages sudden halt flung them out of their seats and almost onto the floor. "Think we're here?"
Rolling her eyes, Ginny got to her feet and went to the door, opening it and stepping outside into the frosted fall night. Above her millions and millions of starts twinkled from the heavens, light years above them, shining their light onto the dozens of students clambering out of carriages and making their way up into the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. The moon was rising over the trees of the Dark Forest and Ginny stopped and savored the cool light as it coursed past her, tickling her skin as it passed.
"You coming?" Senna called from the top steps, looking back at her and clutching her cloak around her shoulders, her breath making clouds in the air. Already her cheeks were red and from Ginny's standpoint her teeth were also beginning to chatter.
"Yeah,"
The change in temperature as the pair hurried into the Entrance Hall was a relief as blood returned to frozen fingertips and heat filtered slowly through clothing and onto skin. Ahead of them, groups of students were meeting with friends and making their way into the Great Hall on the right, where the cheerful sounds of laughter and childish chatter weaved out. Above them, near the high-beamed ceiling, were a few ghosts talking among themselves and pointing down at several students below. Ginny spotted the Hufflepuff ghost and the Gryffindor ghost before Senna tugged her into the Great Hall.
"Let's get good seats near the front this year, okay?" Senna explained as she pushed her way to the head of the hall, battering smaller kids as she went past, Ginny apologizing in her wake. At the head, they quickly claimed seat and did a customary glance up to the High Table, checking out the staff and praying that this was the year that Severus Snape, the ill- mannered and nasty Potions Master, had decided to retire.
Unfortunately that wish wasn't granted. But several seats were empty and the two pondered on who had left. To Dumbledore's right was an empty chair, but they both knew that McGonagall was currently introducing the new first years to Hogwarts. To her right and to Snape's left was another empty seat.a curiosity to both of them. And to Snape's right was a final empty seat.
"Wonder who's gone?" Ginny muttered, sitting down and turning around to look at the doors.
"We have a new DADA professor again," Senna returned with a small sigh. "I don't think we'll ever get a professor who lasts for more than a year."
"Who's the other seat for, then?"
"Don't know, but we'll find out soon enough.just as long as they bring out the food, I really don't care." Senna then giggled and nudged Ginny with her elbow. "Don't look now but your boyfriend is at three o'clock."
"What?" Ginny turned, and then smacked Senna as Harry Potter came into view, herded on both sides by Hermione Granger and Ginny's brother, Ron Weasley. "Harry is *not* my boyfriend!"
"I'm sure."
"He's not!" Ginny blew a breath and looked at Harry again, her normal swooning sensation at seeing his emerald eyes subdued somewhat. Maybe it was because she had gotten no sleep the night before or maybe it was because she had finally gotten over her crush, but whatever the reason, she shrugged it off and simply waved at the approaching trio.
"No simpering?" teased Senna as the three sat down not far from them. "No batting of the eyelashes or reddening of the cheeks?"
"Shut up Senna."
Soon the closing of the double doors shushed the entire school as they waited for them to reopen and let the line of first years fall in leaded by McGonagall. "My sister starts this year,"
Ginny turned to Senna and smiled. "Let's hope she gets Gryffindor then."
The doors opened not long after and, sure enough, Professor Minerva McGonagall was leading a long line of timid first years, her tall black hat crooked to one side. In her hand was a long scroll, holding the names of all the first years. She wound her way to the steps and then gestured for the students to stand along the bottom of the stairs, facing the staff. Ginny craned her neck to see if she could spot Senna's sister. McGonagall told the first years what was expected of them when she called their names and then unrolled the scroll.
"Bolton, Darien!" she barked, and a scared scrawny boy clambered up the stairs and onto the stool, cringing somewhat as McGonagall lowered the sorting head onto his head. The boy sat there a moment until a brim in the hat opened up and it called out "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Several other students came up to the hat and went to their houses until "Trivanna, Kirisa!"
A girl who resembled Senna greatly smoothly walked up to sit on the stool and waited patiently for the hat to name where she was going.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"What?!" Senna gasped and her sister, shaking, got up from the stool and slowly went to the Slytherin table. "That can't be---the hat made a mistake!"
Ginny frowned in sympathy and tuned out the rest of the Sorting, the sleep that had claimed her on the train ride creeping back into her blood. Senna's occasional outbursts faded into the background noise. She looked to the ceiling and spotted several constellations that stood out, then she glanced at Harry who was talking with one of the new Gryffindors. The rest of the Sorting seemed to pass and melt into a blur until Dumbledore clapped his hands, her sleep disappearing for the second time that night. She looked up to him as he rose and beamed at all of them.
"Welcome to another year of Hogwarts!" he greeted, "I have a few announcements like every year. First and foremost, the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden," his eyes fell onto the Gryffindor table at this and a few kids laughed. "magic is not to be used in the corridors and we have two new Professors."
The doors to the Great hall opened for the second time and two figures walked into view, with identical smirks on their faces. The taller one had ebony hair twisted into a braid that fell over her shoulder. She wore robes of white with an intricate black design twisting over the fabric. Her eyes were a startling shade of amber and they roamed over the student body, observing them and judging them. The smaller one wasn't looking at the students, rather her gaze was locked with Professor McGonagall's and Ginny could feel an uneasy tension grow. Her robes were silver trimmed with gold and her copper hair was pulled into a low bun, a few tendrils flowing around her face. Her eyes were just as weird as her companions, a mix of silver and blue. Walking in step they went to the Staff table and stood behind their seats, the taller one on Snape's right and the redhead between McGonagall and Snape.
Dumbledore nodded to them, and then gestured to each in turn. "I'd like to introduce Professor Aithra Cuaitius as the new Ancient Runes professor and Professor Neo Novus as your new Defense against the Dark Arts professor."
The two said hello and sat down, Professor Cuaitius instantly getting bombarded with questions from McGonagall, she said something in return and pulled McGonagall into a warm hug. Ginny nudged Senna and pointed, "Wonder what that's all about."
~*~ Up at the High table, Professor McGonagall relinquished the new professor from the hug and narrowed her gaze at her, peering over the top of her glasses. "There's been no word since you graduated. And that was--"
"Over twenty years ago, I know Mother." Aithra waved aside the conversation and shrugged. "I was busy, I'm sorry."
"Too busy to remain in contact with your own mother?" Minerva frowned.
"I said I'm sorry, all right?"
Minerva made to speak again when Dumbledore placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Minerva.let's save the family reunion for after dinner, shall we?" he coughed to regain attention to himself and then smiled. "Let the feast begin!"
A banquet appeared before them and Aithra couldn't help but break into a smile. "I've forgotten about this."
Leaning back to spot her, Hooch whistled from behind Neo and Snape and waved. "How was Greece?"
Neo took up this answer, "Lovely, you would have loved the flying weather last season, Madame Hooch."
"Xiaomara, Neo, we're equals now."
"Yes, Madame Hooch," Neo winked and placed food onto her plate.
"How was teaching, Aithra?" Dumbledore asked, taking a sip of his wine and looking at her. "I heard that you received commendation down in Greece for research in Transfiguration.double Animagi forms?"
Aithra nodded, and then smiled at Minerva, patting her arm. "You were an excellent teacher."
"Well, congratulations on getting that award. Even though I should have known if a certain daughter would write."
"Mom."
"No, do go on, I enjoy the occasional family squabble while I eat dinner." Snape commented snidely from Aithra's left. She turned and gave him a cold glare before going back to her food. "Well?"
"Quiet, Severus," Minerva snapped. "How are things down in Greece?"
Aithra took a bite of her meal before responding, exchanging a glance with Neo. "The Committee of researchers we worked with are currently trying to develop a time-turner that will allow us to go back into the Grecian age to retrieve the works of Homer before the Christians get to it."
"We found out the cause of the fire," Neo added, "seems like a young wizard in training had gotten scared at the encroaching army and simply backfired an Incendio spell," she laughed lightly before continuing. "poor kid, he never got over that."
"What did you two teach?"
"Aithra there taught Transfigurations while I worked on curses and counter curses. If your Minister of Magic wasn't such a coward and blubbering idiot, he'd see the good in researching the Dark Arts."
"And why would anyone want to study the Dark Arts Professor Novus?" Snape spat, turning to her with a hard expression. "Do you fools down in the Mediterranean not realize that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back and more deadly than ever?"
"Of course we know that." her voice was low and held a tone of bitterness. "The fact that mine and Aithra's husband were killed not even four months ago reminds us all too clearly that the Dark Lord is back in town." Snape made to comment and she held up a hand. "But I was merely stating that learning about the very thing that you're fighting against can help immensely in destroying it."
"So.double Animagi forms?" Hooch broke in, disrupting the argument before it could get off the ground. "Is that even possible?"
Aithra and Neo smiled at her, Aithra for acknowledgement of her work and Neo for stopping an unwanted fight. "It's a rare case. The wizard or witch in question has to be excellent in Charms and Transfiguration, be able to sustain the energy that occurs during the change and even then retain that form while their first form fights to become the dominate figure."
"Speaking of Transfiguration, I'm going to start an Animagi group for our sixth and seventh year students, I'd love help Aithra."
"Sure thing Prof--I mean Min.Mother."
~*~ With dinner under their belts, the students and teachers scattered after the parting notes of Dumbledore. Ginny followed Senna over to the Slytherin table, where they met up with her sister. Senna was worried and by the look on Kirisa's face, she wasn't too happy either.
"What happened? Did the hat do wrong?" Senna asked as soon as Kirisa had noticed them and was in earshot. "I--I don't know."
"You can't be a Slytherin! None of our family was Slytherin!"
"I know.I'm sorry--"
"Oh I'll personally see to it that she's not harmed," drawled a cool, amused voice from behind the two and they spun to send identical glares at Draco Malfoy, who was smirking at them, arms folded and eyes focused on Kirisa.
"You lay one hand on my sister, Malfoy, and I'll have your ass." Senna warned, her Scottish lilt breaking through her words. "I swear or I'll--"
"You'll what?" Malfoy laughed at her expression. "As I thought. You'll do nothing. Besides, your sister's a Slytherin now, like it or not, and that means she's in my care now. We take care of our own. Come on Kirisa, I'll show you to your commons."
"All right.bye Sis."
Malfoy called out to the first years to gather around him, and with a last smirk to the two, he started for the door. Senna waited for the group to leave before letting off a scream and kicking a bench. "Damn him!"
~*~*~ (A/N):Well, there's the first chapter. I can assure and promise that the following will be much longer. This was about seven pages and the other few I have written are touching the ten page mark. Romance is not in this chapter, nor will it be in the second but by the third the several main relationships will start to be unveiled.
Authors Note: Yeah, I know I have two other stories that are demanding to be written but I can only write as the Plot Bunnies demand me too, I can promise everyone that reads my other stories that they will be updated by the end of this month for I have finals looming around the corner.
~*~ The jumping and jarring of the four person carriage jolted Ginny Weasley out of the sleep-like trance she had slipped into on the Hogwarts Express. Blinking rapidly to accustom to the new surroundings, she stared at the scenery like a prisoner just released from solitary and allowed in the outside world. The passing shadows of trees dusted by twilight and the glinting reflection of moonbeams off the lakes surface drew her attention back into the reality of the world. Ever since the week before the start of school she had been falling in and out of dazes. She didn't know why but felt it had something to do with the visit to Charlie last summer.
Like in her second year at Hogwarts she had gone with her family on another vacation, this time to visit her brother Charlie down in Romania. He had finally found someone to tolerate his all consuming love for dragons and had held his wedding outdoors by a nest of baby Hungarian Horntails that had come in for study. During the procession her attention had been focused on the small, if you could call any dragon small, group of nestlings that were curled up and sleeping. Little spurts of smoke puffed out of their nostrils and occasionally one would yawn and send a jet of flame onto another's tail.
"Welcome back Sleeping Beauty," a familiar voice teased from across the seats, flowing through the night like crystal in the cold air. Ginny snapped her gaze from outside and turned to the sound like a startled deer, her eyes fixating almost wildly onto the speaker. Eternal seconds passed as her mind raced to establish identity. A jolt of adrenaline coursed through her veins to help her get over the fact that there was someone else in the carriage. As shy as she was, she had never gotten used to sleeping around others and the suddenness of a new voice had unnerved her.
The jumble of blond hair and violet eyes slowly melded into one recognizable person, a fellow Gryffindor girl in Ginny's year. Named Senna, she was one of a few people who Ginny counted as friends. Living with six brothers had somewhat isolated her from the social world of girls and she had much to learn when she first came to Hogwarts.
"Ginny?" Senna asked tentatively, her eyes searching the other girl's face for a signal.
Like lightning from Zeus's hand the drowsiness left her body and alertness filled it to the brim. Another rapid blinking session got rid of the haze clouding her vision and she refocused her gaze on her companion. "Sorry, I'm always like this right before school, what were you saying?"
Shaking her head, Senna dismissed her friends odd behavior, "Did you get any sleep last night Ginny? You zonked out on the train and then sleep- walked into this carriage."
"Must not have," Ginny released a yawn and turned back to the window. "I think it's the thought that Fred and George won't be here this year. I was so used to them and now, there's no more pranks at 1:00 a.m. anymore."
"I'll bet five galleons that Professor McGonagall will be relieved at that." Senna chuckled, "they were the bane of her existence, weren't they?"
Ginny grinned and shook her head. "Actually, at Charlie's Reception, he got married this summer, I saw her and the twins laughing hysterically at one of their latest products." Ginny thought back to the day and a soft giggle escaped her lips. "maybe she was just like that when they were at school. You know how strict she is."
"Yeah, Professor McRepressed and Neurotic comes to mind when we speak of her." Senna muttered and the two launched into a discussion about their professors until the carriages sudden halt flung them out of their seats and almost onto the floor. "Think we're here?"
Rolling her eyes, Ginny got to her feet and went to the door, opening it and stepping outside into the frosted fall night. Above her millions and millions of starts twinkled from the heavens, light years above them, shining their light onto the dozens of students clambering out of carriages and making their way up into the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. The moon was rising over the trees of the Dark Forest and Ginny stopped and savored the cool light as it coursed past her, tickling her skin as it passed.
"You coming?" Senna called from the top steps, looking back at her and clutching her cloak around her shoulders, her breath making clouds in the air. Already her cheeks were red and from Ginny's standpoint her teeth were also beginning to chatter.
"Yeah,"
The change in temperature as the pair hurried into the Entrance Hall was a relief as blood returned to frozen fingertips and heat filtered slowly through clothing and onto skin. Ahead of them, groups of students were meeting with friends and making their way into the Great Hall on the right, where the cheerful sounds of laughter and childish chatter weaved out. Above them, near the high-beamed ceiling, were a few ghosts talking among themselves and pointing down at several students below. Ginny spotted the Hufflepuff ghost and the Gryffindor ghost before Senna tugged her into the Great Hall.
"Let's get good seats near the front this year, okay?" Senna explained as she pushed her way to the head of the hall, battering smaller kids as she went past, Ginny apologizing in her wake. At the head, they quickly claimed seat and did a customary glance up to the High Table, checking out the staff and praying that this was the year that Severus Snape, the ill- mannered and nasty Potions Master, had decided to retire.
Unfortunately that wish wasn't granted. But several seats were empty and the two pondered on who had left. To Dumbledore's right was an empty chair, but they both knew that McGonagall was currently introducing the new first years to Hogwarts. To her right and to Snape's left was another empty seat.a curiosity to both of them. And to Snape's right was a final empty seat.
"Wonder who's gone?" Ginny muttered, sitting down and turning around to look at the doors.
"We have a new DADA professor again," Senna returned with a small sigh. "I don't think we'll ever get a professor who lasts for more than a year."
"Who's the other seat for, then?"
"Don't know, but we'll find out soon enough.just as long as they bring out the food, I really don't care." Senna then giggled and nudged Ginny with her elbow. "Don't look now but your boyfriend is at three o'clock."
"What?" Ginny turned, and then smacked Senna as Harry Potter came into view, herded on both sides by Hermione Granger and Ginny's brother, Ron Weasley. "Harry is *not* my boyfriend!"
"I'm sure."
"He's not!" Ginny blew a breath and looked at Harry again, her normal swooning sensation at seeing his emerald eyes subdued somewhat. Maybe it was because she had gotten no sleep the night before or maybe it was because she had finally gotten over her crush, but whatever the reason, she shrugged it off and simply waved at the approaching trio.
"No simpering?" teased Senna as the three sat down not far from them. "No batting of the eyelashes or reddening of the cheeks?"
"Shut up Senna."
Soon the closing of the double doors shushed the entire school as they waited for them to reopen and let the line of first years fall in leaded by McGonagall. "My sister starts this year,"
Ginny turned to Senna and smiled. "Let's hope she gets Gryffindor then."
The doors opened not long after and, sure enough, Professor Minerva McGonagall was leading a long line of timid first years, her tall black hat crooked to one side. In her hand was a long scroll, holding the names of all the first years. She wound her way to the steps and then gestured for the students to stand along the bottom of the stairs, facing the staff. Ginny craned her neck to see if she could spot Senna's sister. McGonagall told the first years what was expected of them when she called their names and then unrolled the scroll.
"Bolton, Darien!" she barked, and a scared scrawny boy clambered up the stairs and onto the stool, cringing somewhat as McGonagall lowered the sorting head onto his head. The boy sat there a moment until a brim in the hat opened up and it called out "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Several other students came up to the hat and went to their houses until "Trivanna, Kirisa!"
A girl who resembled Senna greatly smoothly walked up to sit on the stool and waited patiently for the hat to name where she was going.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"What?!" Senna gasped and her sister, shaking, got up from the stool and slowly went to the Slytherin table. "That can't be---the hat made a mistake!"
Ginny frowned in sympathy and tuned out the rest of the Sorting, the sleep that had claimed her on the train ride creeping back into her blood. Senna's occasional outbursts faded into the background noise. She looked to the ceiling and spotted several constellations that stood out, then she glanced at Harry who was talking with one of the new Gryffindors. The rest of the Sorting seemed to pass and melt into a blur until Dumbledore clapped his hands, her sleep disappearing for the second time that night. She looked up to him as he rose and beamed at all of them.
"Welcome to another year of Hogwarts!" he greeted, "I have a few announcements like every year. First and foremost, the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden," his eyes fell onto the Gryffindor table at this and a few kids laughed. "magic is not to be used in the corridors and we have two new Professors."
The doors to the Great hall opened for the second time and two figures walked into view, with identical smirks on their faces. The taller one had ebony hair twisted into a braid that fell over her shoulder. She wore robes of white with an intricate black design twisting over the fabric. Her eyes were a startling shade of amber and they roamed over the student body, observing them and judging them. The smaller one wasn't looking at the students, rather her gaze was locked with Professor McGonagall's and Ginny could feel an uneasy tension grow. Her robes were silver trimmed with gold and her copper hair was pulled into a low bun, a few tendrils flowing around her face. Her eyes were just as weird as her companions, a mix of silver and blue. Walking in step they went to the Staff table and stood behind their seats, the taller one on Snape's right and the redhead between McGonagall and Snape.
Dumbledore nodded to them, and then gestured to each in turn. "I'd like to introduce Professor Aithra Cuaitius as the new Ancient Runes professor and Professor Neo Novus as your new Defense against the Dark Arts professor."
The two said hello and sat down, Professor Cuaitius instantly getting bombarded with questions from McGonagall, she said something in return and pulled McGonagall into a warm hug. Ginny nudged Senna and pointed, "Wonder what that's all about."
~*~ Up at the High table, Professor McGonagall relinquished the new professor from the hug and narrowed her gaze at her, peering over the top of her glasses. "There's been no word since you graduated. And that was--"
"Over twenty years ago, I know Mother." Aithra waved aside the conversation and shrugged. "I was busy, I'm sorry."
"Too busy to remain in contact with your own mother?" Minerva frowned.
"I said I'm sorry, all right?"
Minerva made to speak again when Dumbledore placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Minerva.let's save the family reunion for after dinner, shall we?" he coughed to regain attention to himself and then smiled. "Let the feast begin!"
A banquet appeared before them and Aithra couldn't help but break into a smile. "I've forgotten about this."
Leaning back to spot her, Hooch whistled from behind Neo and Snape and waved. "How was Greece?"
Neo took up this answer, "Lovely, you would have loved the flying weather last season, Madame Hooch."
"Xiaomara, Neo, we're equals now."
"Yes, Madame Hooch," Neo winked and placed food onto her plate.
"How was teaching, Aithra?" Dumbledore asked, taking a sip of his wine and looking at her. "I heard that you received commendation down in Greece for research in Transfiguration.double Animagi forms?"
Aithra nodded, and then smiled at Minerva, patting her arm. "You were an excellent teacher."
"Well, congratulations on getting that award. Even though I should have known if a certain daughter would write."
"Mom."
"No, do go on, I enjoy the occasional family squabble while I eat dinner." Snape commented snidely from Aithra's left. She turned and gave him a cold glare before going back to her food. "Well?"
"Quiet, Severus," Minerva snapped. "How are things down in Greece?"
Aithra took a bite of her meal before responding, exchanging a glance with Neo. "The Committee of researchers we worked with are currently trying to develop a time-turner that will allow us to go back into the Grecian age to retrieve the works of Homer before the Christians get to it."
"We found out the cause of the fire," Neo added, "seems like a young wizard in training had gotten scared at the encroaching army and simply backfired an Incendio spell," she laughed lightly before continuing. "poor kid, he never got over that."
"What did you two teach?"
"Aithra there taught Transfigurations while I worked on curses and counter curses. If your Minister of Magic wasn't such a coward and blubbering idiot, he'd see the good in researching the Dark Arts."
"And why would anyone want to study the Dark Arts Professor Novus?" Snape spat, turning to her with a hard expression. "Do you fools down in the Mediterranean not realize that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back and more deadly than ever?"
"Of course we know that." her voice was low and held a tone of bitterness. "The fact that mine and Aithra's husband were killed not even four months ago reminds us all too clearly that the Dark Lord is back in town." Snape made to comment and she held up a hand. "But I was merely stating that learning about the very thing that you're fighting against can help immensely in destroying it."
"So.double Animagi forms?" Hooch broke in, disrupting the argument before it could get off the ground. "Is that even possible?"
Aithra and Neo smiled at her, Aithra for acknowledgement of her work and Neo for stopping an unwanted fight. "It's a rare case. The wizard or witch in question has to be excellent in Charms and Transfiguration, be able to sustain the energy that occurs during the change and even then retain that form while their first form fights to become the dominate figure."
"Speaking of Transfiguration, I'm going to start an Animagi group for our sixth and seventh year students, I'd love help Aithra."
"Sure thing Prof--I mean Min.Mother."
~*~ With dinner under their belts, the students and teachers scattered after the parting notes of Dumbledore. Ginny followed Senna over to the Slytherin table, where they met up with her sister. Senna was worried and by the look on Kirisa's face, she wasn't too happy either.
"What happened? Did the hat do wrong?" Senna asked as soon as Kirisa had noticed them and was in earshot. "I--I don't know."
"You can't be a Slytherin! None of our family was Slytherin!"
"I know.I'm sorry--"
"Oh I'll personally see to it that she's not harmed," drawled a cool, amused voice from behind the two and they spun to send identical glares at Draco Malfoy, who was smirking at them, arms folded and eyes focused on Kirisa.
"You lay one hand on my sister, Malfoy, and I'll have your ass." Senna warned, her Scottish lilt breaking through her words. "I swear or I'll--"
"You'll what?" Malfoy laughed at her expression. "As I thought. You'll do nothing. Besides, your sister's a Slytherin now, like it or not, and that means she's in my care now. We take care of our own. Come on Kirisa, I'll show you to your commons."
"All right.bye Sis."
Malfoy called out to the first years to gather around him, and with a last smirk to the two, he started for the door. Senna waited for the group to leave before letting off a scream and kicking a bench. "Damn him!"
~*~*~ (A/N):Well, there's the first chapter. I can assure and promise that the following will be much longer. This was about seven pages and the other few I have written are touching the ten page mark. Romance is not in this chapter, nor will it be in the second but by the third the several main relationships will start to be unveiled.