A/N: This will be a long chapter in comparison with the others. I'm starting to establish the plot, and bring in some key characters (and a few I think you'll remember from 'Redemption' of course). I should mention here that with the exception of Slytherin, the other houses have new heads. McGonagall is Headmistress (it would be unfair her being Head of Gryffindor and Headmistress, wouldn't it?), Flitwick is the able deputy. That's all you need to know for now. I explain further in the chapter.
Chapter 5- in the Scheme of Things
The man came forward, chuckling softly. "I thought it'd be obvious, Emmanuel. After all, I have your hair, nose....and certainly my eyes."
Emmanuel's jaw dropped. "You're my Father? Nooo way! I'm not dead am I?"
He shook his head. "No you're not. You're just unconcious. I've been sent to mind you until you come to."
"Oh," replied Emmanuel, not sure of what to say. He stared at the man. His Father....Wilton. "This is really surreal, isn't it?"
Wilton smiled softly. "Yes.....my goodness, I can't even believe I'm talking to you myself."
"Wow....so you and Mum...."
Wilton blushed. "Yes. I loved your Mother very much and I do now. You remember to tell her that, won't you? And your sister. I love all three of you so much. You and Eveleen are very important in the scheme of things, safe to say."
Emmanuel opened his mouth to ask why, but found the mist and his father were fading.
Wilton waved. "Too short a time to get to know you, but I'll always be there, watching you Emmanuel. And your sister...." Emmanuel could hear Wilton's words fading and his Mother's words coming into earshot.
"Emmanuel! My goodness, are you alright? Oh, that bruise on your cheek.....Merlin's beard..."
Emmanuel opened his eyes to see his Mother fussing over him, to a stabbing, dizzying pain in his cheek and to a horrible head ache.
"Mum...." he protested feebly, but then decided it was probably a good idea to let them fuss over him. He lay back on the pillows, thinking about what he'd experienced. He wondered why he was so important in the scheme of things......
*********************************
Meanwhile, Eve was sitting on the main staircase, wondering how her brother was faring. Madam Pomfrey had not allowed her in, so she sat, waiting. She felt impatient. Trust Emmanuel to be in the way of a bludger!
It was then that she saw a teacher coming her way. She recognised him as the her house master.....his name escaped her at that moment.....was it Dinsdale? Professor Dinsdale.
In any case, he was jogging up the stairs, a rather mouldy-looking book tucked under his arm. He looked up to see her, and slowed, coming to a stop where Eve sat.
"Shouldn't you be studying, Miss...." he paused, looking a little clueless. "Forgive me, what's your name? I've been having trouble remembering my first year's names."
"Eveleen, but if you call me anything but Eve, I'll hex you."
He chuckled softly, stooping and looking her straight in the eye. "Very well, Eve. But I'd like your full name. Please?"
Eve couldn't help but notice his eyes. They were very dark and she couldn't exactly tell the colour, but they seemed to be green.
"Eveleen Lydia Quirrell, don't wear it out." she replied quickly.
She was surprised to see him raise a dark eyebrow in interest. "Surely not......Merlin's Beard! I nearly forgot you were coming to Hogwarts this year. Coincidence....this is my first year as Head of Ravenclaw that I should have you in the first year. Hmm, yes."
"This is your first year." said Eve. She wasn't terribly surprised. He was relatively young compared with some of the other Professors, despite the fact that his hair was greyish blonde.
"Yes.....I got out of Auror training academy last year and I'm teaching you lot Defence Against the Dark Arts this year." he said, sitting down next to her, resting his book on his lap.
"You're an Auror?" Eve said, immediately full of respect.
"Not exactly. I mean, I've got the certificate saying I'm one, but I'm not. I had a bit of a nasty incident while training last year, hence why my hair's sorta grey. It's actually blonde, but I got hit by a Ravus charm, which changed it a little, you see. So I decided to teach defending against the dark arts, rather than be out there fighting it. Don't want anymore nasty accidents like that happening....."
Eve tried to look like she knew what he was talking about. What was a Ravus spell? And more importantly, when would she get to learn it?
"So you're one of the Quirrell twins......I met your Father once."
Eve was beginning to get sick of all the talk about her Father.
"I don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal about my Father. I mean, everyone goes on about what a great wizard he was....."
Atticus stood up, offering his hand. "But you don't know, right? It's up to your Mum, bless her, to tell you about your Dad, but come with me and I'll show you some of the stuff I have on your Dad."
Eve considered this before accepting his hand and following him upstairs.
Professor Dinsdale's office/classroom was very clean compared with some of the other classrooms, such as the Charms teacher Professor Flitwick. It was free of dust and grime, the windows were hung with red curtains and the whole place reeked of incense. Generally, Eve liked it.
A poster of Rowena Ravenclaw, the house founder, graced the door and there were other pictures up around the room, all relating to Defence Against the Dark Arts in some way. A few shelves lined with important-looking books stood around the room, but Eve nearly laughed when she examined them up close. They were books by Muggle authors. Classics such as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream were mixed in with DADA texts, modern history books and even old Greek myths like Orpheus.
His desk was the only messy feature of the room. It had ink spots splattered across the mahogany, papers were piled high, and instead of a pile of quills there was a funny-looking contraption with buttons and a piece of parchment sticking out of it. He later told her it was a Muggle invention called a 'typewriter' and that it did the work of a quill, "but ten times quicker and far more neater than I can write".
Also on the desk was his nameplate, stating his full name 'Professor Atticus A. Dinsdale' and a rather creased-looking photo of him and a pretty blonde-haired grey-eyed woman with glasses, dressed in red robes, and it being a wizard photo, they were glancing at each other and smiling. Eve was dying to ask him whether it was his girlfriend, but decided not to pursue the question in the end.
After a few minutes more of going through his filing cabinet, he finally crossed over to her and handed her a folder. She glanced at him curiously before opening it. It was full of clippings from the Daily Prophet.
"Some of these are my own, but alot came from my Uncle Sev, seeing as he went to school-"
Eve nearly fainted. "Is your Uncle Professor Snape?"
He chuckled softly in return. "Yes. I'm his older sister's son."
Eve couldn't believe it. This nice, smart, maybe even good-looking Professor was Snape's nephew? Her Mother had always spoken of Snape's desire to teach DADA, but his nephew?
"As in nasty, greasy-haired, Potions Master Snape who-"
"Ok, ok. Enough of the insults. He is my Uncle, after all, regardless of all else." said Professor Dinsdale, smiling.
Eve took one out and examined it. It was the front page with no picture. 'Top NEWTS students accepted into October's London Campus." she read out. "That doesn't make any sense whatsoever." she said, looking up at Professor Dinsdale.
"NEWTs are a series of tests that the Seventh-year's take towards the end of the school year," he began to explain. "and depending on how good your NEWTs scores are in your different subjects, you will be accepted into a Wizarding university, be offered an apprenticeship or something like that. My strongest scores were in DADA, so I was offered two options: Either to go to Thaddeus October's, one of the top Wizarding Universities in London or train as an Auror in the Ministry of Magic Auror Training Academy."
Eve nodded mutely as she read the clipping.
......This year's top results came from the Ravenclaw/Gryffindor contingent. Among the top achievers was Mr. Wilton L. Quirrell, who came out with sky-high scores in DADA and Astronomy, matching that of his housemate Miss Celestina I. Sinistra.....
"That's Mum!" Eve exclaimed. "Wow, she was really smart...."
"Yes," replied Professor Dinsdale, taking the clipping from her. "brilliant couple, but not they weren't together then. That didn't happen until much later...." he said, closing his eyes for a moment. Then, snapping out of his brief reverie, he picked up the folder and moved to put it away in the filing cabinet again.
"Wait...." Eve said. The Professor spun around, looking at her questioningly.
"Yes?"
"May I borrow your clippings? I'm sure when he comes to, my brother would like to see them."
He thought about it for a moment before coming back. "Of course. Just don't make sure you lose any of the clippings and be careful with them, ok?"
"Sure....thanks, Professor." she replied, taking it from him.
"Now, are you going to go to the common room and study like you should've? I have a meeting to go to in ten minutes." he asked, crossing his arms.
She smiled at him cheekily. "Actually, I was thinking about sneaking a peek at the prefects bath-"
"I think I'll accompany you." he cut in quickly, and they walked up to the commonroom together.
Little was said on the way there, but that afternoon, unbeknownst to her, Eve had found herself an important ally in the form of Professor Atticus Anthony Dinsdale.
*********************************
"You're late," a voice stated as Atticus came in, seating himself at at the table between his uncle and his uncle's unusually loyal teaching assistant. He looked around at the table. Besides Snape, Severa and himself, there were a few others, familiar and unfamiliar to him.
"My apologies Headmistress, I was just overseeing a little matter."
"Very well, Professor Dinsdale but kindly remember to be on time in the future." said Professor McGonagall, standing up.
Atticus nodded silently, as McGonagall began to speak, introducing each individual. Besides himself, Snape and Severa, Professor Binns, the History of Magic professor was there, as was Professor Flitwick, the deputy Headmaster. The two strangers were Ms. Hermione Granger, a representative from the Ministry of Magic's Historical/Archaeological department, and Miss Iphigenia Lister, who was, in McGonagall's words, 'one of the finest upcoming History of Magic academics in Europe'.
McGonagall smiled proudly at the two girls before speaking again.
"Now, I have called you all together for a particular reason. Albus," she began, gesturing to the former Headmaster who sat at the far end of the table. "has been warned of a threat against the school. Would you care to explain?" she asked the old man.
"Certainly Minerva," he said, also standing. "A few days ago, just before term started, I received an anonymous letter by owl. Apparently a Dark Wizard is planning to attack the school. When is uncertain, but we suspect it to be some time during the school year. I will explain further, but first a question to you all. Can you name the heirs of the founders?"
The assembled group exchanged glances. Hermione spoke first, very tentatively.
"Harry Potter," she murmured softly, staring at her folded hands. "Heir of Gryffindor."
Next, out of the palpable silence, came Atticus' voice.
"Cedric Diggory, heir of Hufflepuff."
Then, Severus'. "Tom Riddle......Salazar's Heir."
There was further silence and Dumbledore looked at the group curiously.
"Don't any of you know who Rowena's heir is?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
They exchanged puzzled glances.
"I'm afraid not, Professor," Iphigenia finally spoke. "the bloodline of the Ravenclaws was lost."
"Correct, Miss Lister. It seems that Rowena has hidden her descendants to prevent them from untimely fates, like our other three heirs have suffered. Now, I trust you're familiar with the old Hogwarts legend regarding the heirs."
The group nodded. "That would be the legend about the incantations that Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw created to protect the castle?" asked Hermione.
"Exactly, Miss Granger. It seems that as long as least one heir to the founders is alive, Hogwarts shall be safe."
"Which is why," McGonagall cut in, continuing for Dumbledore. "we've called you together. Together, the group of you are among the finest minds in our country. We need your help in regards to finding the heir and seeing what needs to be done. Now, I've found some information that may interest you, it's in my office, so I'll just go out and get it." she said, and moved silently out of the room.
There was a awkward silence, before Binns' deep voice, rumbling with age, spoke up.
"I propose keeping this quiet from the heir," he said, leaning back in his chair. "It's a damned risk. It'd be-"
"Wait a minute," said Iphigenia, interrupting Binns. "He or she should know! Professor, it's ridiculous to even suggest keeping it quiet. Diggory died never knowing he was the heir of Helga. Let's not make the mistake with Rowena's heir either."
Binns sprung from his seat. "What you have failed to notice, Miss Lister," he growled. "is that when young Potter was told of having the blood of lions, he ended up dead! As did Riddle. If word gets out about the Ravenclaw heir's identity, there will surely be a successor to you-know-who waiting out there to kill them off."
"So the bloodlines of the heirs won't continue. Big deal! There must be other ways of protecting the castle."
"It is a big deal, Miss Lister!" Binns said, starting to lose his temper. "You and your modern ideas about history of magic. You don't know anything...." he muttered angrily.
"Excuse me?" Iphigenia yelled. "Were you criticising my ways? Not meaning to boast, but I'm one of the finest Magical Scholars in Europe, so if you want to criticise my methods, perhaps you should look at yours first."
"I have been teaching at this school for more than a century, Miss Lister. I'd appreciate some respect. You've been a scholar but 11 years. Care to challenge me?"
"Yes!" she countered, and with that assent, a full-blown yelling argument began.
For every argument Iphigenia put forward, Binns had a comeback, and vice versa. The other occupants watched on. Hermione looked torn between dismay and genuine interest. Dumbledore looked on, also quite amused, his body shaking with silent laughter. Atticus was trying not to laugh. Flitwick was giggling.
Snape and Severa sat together, watching with amusement.
"Nothing like a good debate, is there?" he said. "This calls for some relaxation." he said, lazily pointing in wand in the direction of the door.
"Accio brandy decanter. Accio shot glasses."
Moments later, the two Slytherin professors sipping at the drink. As Iphi jabbed her finger in Binns' direction, Snape held his glass up.
"To the passion of Slytherin." he said, and they clinked glasses.
At that moment, McGonagall returned.
"Merlin's Beard! Aldous!" she almost shrieked, gesturing wildly. "Miss Lister! Hold your tongues!"
The two opposing scholars sank back into their chairs like chastised children.
"We're supposed to be in this together, not as debaters!" she continued, seating herself at the end of the table. She looked to the others.
"Albus! Why didn't you do anything?"
Dumbledore's answer was quick. "Because, Minerva, there is nothing quite like a good argument to get passions racing."
McGonagall sighed in exasperation. "Severus, Atticus, at least you two could've done something!"
Severus laughed. "Minerva, I have the blood of Roman senators in my veins, as does my nephew. Do you really think we were going to stop this?"
McGonagall surveyed the other occupants, eyeing them admonishingly for not saying anything to stop the argument.
"Shall we return to business then?" she said in her calmest voice, sitting down and lacing her fingers together.
The group nodded mutely and McGonagall gave a strained smile.
"Good. In relation to your......ahem, debate, Aldous, Miss Lister, my belief is that the heir should be contacted. I will ask a vote on this to be conducted in a day or so. Time must not be wasted here. If the majority of you believe that the heir should be contacted, then a way shall be found. Merlin knows who it could be....."
She continued on, explaining other things, but Severus, for once, was feeling dreadfully unnerved by all this. What had happened that March day eleven years ago?
*flashback*
March 9th, 1996
"Push, Celestina....." the Doctor urged her, as the woman before him wept with pain. "it shall be over in a matter of moments....."
Severus could hear the Doctor's voice from the school courtyard, where he was pacing nervously. Atticus was sitting nearby on one of the stone walls, writing in a book. It was a Saturday, and students were either out at Hogsmeade or enjoying some much-needed leisure time.
He continued pacing on a few moments, when he heard an abrupt cry. Suddenly, coinciding with the wails of a newborn child, there was a great fluttering of wings and Severus looked up to see a fleet of Ravens take flight from the windows of the Ravenclaw commonroom.
"What's going on, Uncle?" asked young Atticus, awestruck by the black birds now circling the castle.
Severus looked to his nephew and for once, didn't have an answer to a question.
"I......I don't know, Atticus.......Gods, I don't know...."
End of chapter.
A/N: Kindly remember to review, friends, Romans, countrymen.....I'm not exactly pleased with this chapter, so I might go back and revise it. Next chapter should be up in two weeks, if all goes to plan.
Chapter 5- in the Scheme of Things
The man came forward, chuckling softly. "I thought it'd be obvious, Emmanuel. After all, I have your hair, nose....and certainly my eyes."
Emmanuel's jaw dropped. "You're my Father? Nooo way! I'm not dead am I?"
He shook his head. "No you're not. You're just unconcious. I've been sent to mind you until you come to."
"Oh," replied Emmanuel, not sure of what to say. He stared at the man. His Father....Wilton. "This is really surreal, isn't it?"
Wilton smiled softly. "Yes.....my goodness, I can't even believe I'm talking to you myself."
"Wow....so you and Mum...."
Wilton blushed. "Yes. I loved your Mother very much and I do now. You remember to tell her that, won't you? And your sister. I love all three of you so much. You and Eveleen are very important in the scheme of things, safe to say."
Emmanuel opened his mouth to ask why, but found the mist and his father were fading.
Wilton waved. "Too short a time to get to know you, but I'll always be there, watching you Emmanuel. And your sister...." Emmanuel could hear Wilton's words fading and his Mother's words coming into earshot.
"Emmanuel! My goodness, are you alright? Oh, that bruise on your cheek.....Merlin's beard..."
Emmanuel opened his eyes to see his Mother fussing over him, to a stabbing, dizzying pain in his cheek and to a horrible head ache.
"Mum...." he protested feebly, but then decided it was probably a good idea to let them fuss over him. He lay back on the pillows, thinking about what he'd experienced. He wondered why he was so important in the scheme of things......
*********************************
Meanwhile, Eve was sitting on the main staircase, wondering how her brother was faring. Madam Pomfrey had not allowed her in, so she sat, waiting. She felt impatient. Trust Emmanuel to be in the way of a bludger!
It was then that she saw a teacher coming her way. She recognised him as the her house master.....his name escaped her at that moment.....was it Dinsdale? Professor Dinsdale.
In any case, he was jogging up the stairs, a rather mouldy-looking book tucked under his arm. He looked up to see her, and slowed, coming to a stop where Eve sat.
"Shouldn't you be studying, Miss...." he paused, looking a little clueless. "Forgive me, what's your name? I've been having trouble remembering my first year's names."
"Eveleen, but if you call me anything but Eve, I'll hex you."
He chuckled softly, stooping and looking her straight in the eye. "Very well, Eve. But I'd like your full name. Please?"
Eve couldn't help but notice his eyes. They were very dark and she couldn't exactly tell the colour, but they seemed to be green.
"Eveleen Lydia Quirrell, don't wear it out." she replied quickly.
She was surprised to see him raise a dark eyebrow in interest. "Surely not......Merlin's Beard! I nearly forgot you were coming to Hogwarts this year. Coincidence....this is my first year as Head of Ravenclaw that I should have you in the first year. Hmm, yes."
"This is your first year." said Eve. She wasn't terribly surprised. He was relatively young compared with some of the other Professors, despite the fact that his hair was greyish blonde.
"Yes.....I got out of Auror training academy last year and I'm teaching you lot Defence Against the Dark Arts this year." he said, sitting down next to her, resting his book on his lap.
"You're an Auror?" Eve said, immediately full of respect.
"Not exactly. I mean, I've got the certificate saying I'm one, but I'm not. I had a bit of a nasty incident while training last year, hence why my hair's sorta grey. It's actually blonde, but I got hit by a Ravus charm, which changed it a little, you see. So I decided to teach defending against the dark arts, rather than be out there fighting it. Don't want anymore nasty accidents like that happening....."
Eve tried to look like she knew what he was talking about. What was a Ravus spell? And more importantly, when would she get to learn it?
"So you're one of the Quirrell twins......I met your Father once."
Eve was beginning to get sick of all the talk about her Father.
"I don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal about my Father. I mean, everyone goes on about what a great wizard he was....."
Atticus stood up, offering his hand. "But you don't know, right? It's up to your Mum, bless her, to tell you about your Dad, but come with me and I'll show you some of the stuff I have on your Dad."
Eve considered this before accepting his hand and following him upstairs.
Professor Dinsdale's office/classroom was very clean compared with some of the other classrooms, such as the Charms teacher Professor Flitwick. It was free of dust and grime, the windows were hung with red curtains and the whole place reeked of incense. Generally, Eve liked it.
A poster of Rowena Ravenclaw, the house founder, graced the door and there were other pictures up around the room, all relating to Defence Against the Dark Arts in some way. A few shelves lined with important-looking books stood around the room, but Eve nearly laughed when she examined them up close. They were books by Muggle authors. Classics such as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream were mixed in with DADA texts, modern history books and even old Greek myths like Orpheus.
His desk was the only messy feature of the room. It had ink spots splattered across the mahogany, papers were piled high, and instead of a pile of quills there was a funny-looking contraption with buttons and a piece of parchment sticking out of it. He later told her it was a Muggle invention called a 'typewriter' and that it did the work of a quill, "but ten times quicker and far more neater than I can write".
Also on the desk was his nameplate, stating his full name 'Professor Atticus A. Dinsdale' and a rather creased-looking photo of him and a pretty blonde-haired grey-eyed woman with glasses, dressed in red robes, and it being a wizard photo, they were glancing at each other and smiling. Eve was dying to ask him whether it was his girlfriend, but decided not to pursue the question in the end.
After a few minutes more of going through his filing cabinet, he finally crossed over to her and handed her a folder. She glanced at him curiously before opening it. It was full of clippings from the Daily Prophet.
"Some of these are my own, but alot came from my Uncle Sev, seeing as he went to school-"
Eve nearly fainted. "Is your Uncle Professor Snape?"
He chuckled softly in return. "Yes. I'm his older sister's son."
Eve couldn't believe it. This nice, smart, maybe even good-looking Professor was Snape's nephew? Her Mother had always spoken of Snape's desire to teach DADA, but his nephew?
"As in nasty, greasy-haired, Potions Master Snape who-"
"Ok, ok. Enough of the insults. He is my Uncle, after all, regardless of all else." said Professor Dinsdale, smiling.
Eve took one out and examined it. It was the front page with no picture. 'Top NEWTS students accepted into October's London Campus." she read out. "That doesn't make any sense whatsoever." she said, looking up at Professor Dinsdale.
"NEWTs are a series of tests that the Seventh-year's take towards the end of the school year," he began to explain. "and depending on how good your NEWTs scores are in your different subjects, you will be accepted into a Wizarding university, be offered an apprenticeship or something like that. My strongest scores were in DADA, so I was offered two options: Either to go to Thaddeus October's, one of the top Wizarding Universities in London or train as an Auror in the Ministry of Magic Auror Training Academy."
Eve nodded mutely as she read the clipping.
......This year's top results came from the Ravenclaw/Gryffindor contingent. Among the top achievers was Mr. Wilton L. Quirrell, who came out with sky-high scores in DADA and Astronomy, matching that of his housemate Miss Celestina I. Sinistra.....
"That's Mum!" Eve exclaimed. "Wow, she was really smart...."
"Yes," replied Professor Dinsdale, taking the clipping from her. "brilliant couple, but not they weren't together then. That didn't happen until much later...." he said, closing his eyes for a moment. Then, snapping out of his brief reverie, he picked up the folder and moved to put it away in the filing cabinet again.
"Wait...." Eve said. The Professor spun around, looking at her questioningly.
"Yes?"
"May I borrow your clippings? I'm sure when he comes to, my brother would like to see them."
He thought about it for a moment before coming back. "Of course. Just don't make sure you lose any of the clippings and be careful with them, ok?"
"Sure....thanks, Professor." she replied, taking it from him.
"Now, are you going to go to the common room and study like you should've? I have a meeting to go to in ten minutes." he asked, crossing his arms.
She smiled at him cheekily. "Actually, I was thinking about sneaking a peek at the prefects bath-"
"I think I'll accompany you." he cut in quickly, and they walked up to the commonroom together.
Little was said on the way there, but that afternoon, unbeknownst to her, Eve had found herself an important ally in the form of Professor Atticus Anthony Dinsdale.
*********************************
"You're late," a voice stated as Atticus came in, seating himself at at the table between his uncle and his uncle's unusually loyal teaching assistant. He looked around at the table. Besides Snape, Severa and himself, there were a few others, familiar and unfamiliar to him.
"My apologies Headmistress, I was just overseeing a little matter."
"Very well, Professor Dinsdale but kindly remember to be on time in the future." said Professor McGonagall, standing up.
Atticus nodded silently, as McGonagall began to speak, introducing each individual. Besides himself, Snape and Severa, Professor Binns, the History of Magic professor was there, as was Professor Flitwick, the deputy Headmaster. The two strangers were Ms. Hermione Granger, a representative from the Ministry of Magic's Historical/Archaeological department, and Miss Iphigenia Lister, who was, in McGonagall's words, 'one of the finest upcoming History of Magic academics in Europe'.
McGonagall smiled proudly at the two girls before speaking again.
"Now, I have called you all together for a particular reason. Albus," she began, gesturing to the former Headmaster who sat at the far end of the table. "has been warned of a threat against the school. Would you care to explain?" she asked the old man.
"Certainly Minerva," he said, also standing. "A few days ago, just before term started, I received an anonymous letter by owl. Apparently a Dark Wizard is planning to attack the school. When is uncertain, but we suspect it to be some time during the school year. I will explain further, but first a question to you all. Can you name the heirs of the founders?"
The assembled group exchanged glances. Hermione spoke first, very tentatively.
"Harry Potter," she murmured softly, staring at her folded hands. "Heir of Gryffindor."
Next, out of the palpable silence, came Atticus' voice.
"Cedric Diggory, heir of Hufflepuff."
Then, Severus'. "Tom Riddle......Salazar's Heir."
There was further silence and Dumbledore looked at the group curiously.
"Don't any of you know who Rowena's heir is?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
They exchanged puzzled glances.
"I'm afraid not, Professor," Iphigenia finally spoke. "the bloodline of the Ravenclaws was lost."
"Correct, Miss Lister. It seems that Rowena has hidden her descendants to prevent them from untimely fates, like our other three heirs have suffered. Now, I trust you're familiar with the old Hogwarts legend regarding the heirs."
The group nodded. "That would be the legend about the incantations that Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw created to protect the castle?" asked Hermione.
"Exactly, Miss Granger. It seems that as long as least one heir to the founders is alive, Hogwarts shall be safe."
"Which is why," McGonagall cut in, continuing for Dumbledore. "we've called you together. Together, the group of you are among the finest minds in our country. We need your help in regards to finding the heir and seeing what needs to be done. Now, I've found some information that may interest you, it's in my office, so I'll just go out and get it." she said, and moved silently out of the room.
There was a awkward silence, before Binns' deep voice, rumbling with age, spoke up.
"I propose keeping this quiet from the heir," he said, leaning back in his chair. "It's a damned risk. It'd be-"
"Wait a minute," said Iphigenia, interrupting Binns. "He or she should know! Professor, it's ridiculous to even suggest keeping it quiet. Diggory died never knowing he was the heir of Helga. Let's not make the mistake with Rowena's heir either."
Binns sprung from his seat. "What you have failed to notice, Miss Lister," he growled. "is that when young Potter was told of having the blood of lions, he ended up dead! As did Riddle. If word gets out about the Ravenclaw heir's identity, there will surely be a successor to you-know-who waiting out there to kill them off."
"So the bloodlines of the heirs won't continue. Big deal! There must be other ways of protecting the castle."
"It is a big deal, Miss Lister!" Binns said, starting to lose his temper. "You and your modern ideas about history of magic. You don't know anything...." he muttered angrily.
"Excuse me?" Iphigenia yelled. "Were you criticising my ways? Not meaning to boast, but I'm one of the finest Magical Scholars in Europe, so if you want to criticise my methods, perhaps you should look at yours first."
"I have been teaching at this school for more than a century, Miss Lister. I'd appreciate some respect. You've been a scholar but 11 years. Care to challenge me?"
"Yes!" she countered, and with that assent, a full-blown yelling argument began.
For every argument Iphigenia put forward, Binns had a comeback, and vice versa. The other occupants watched on. Hermione looked torn between dismay and genuine interest. Dumbledore looked on, also quite amused, his body shaking with silent laughter. Atticus was trying not to laugh. Flitwick was giggling.
Snape and Severa sat together, watching with amusement.
"Nothing like a good debate, is there?" he said. "This calls for some relaxation." he said, lazily pointing in wand in the direction of the door.
"Accio brandy decanter. Accio shot glasses."
Moments later, the two Slytherin professors sipping at the drink. As Iphi jabbed her finger in Binns' direction, Snape held his glass up.
"To the passion of Slytherin." he said, and they clinked glasses.
At that moment, McGonagall returned.
"Merlin's Beard! Aldous!" she almost shrieked, gesturing wildly. "Miss Lister! Hold your tongues!"
The two opposing scholars sank back into their chairs like chastised children.
"We're supposed to be in this together, not as debaters!" she continued, seating herself at the end of the table. She looked to the others.
"Albus! Why didn't you do anything?"
Dumbledore's answer was quick. "Because, Minerva, there is nothing quite like a good argument to get passions racing."
McGonagall sighed in exasperation. "Severus, Atticus, at least you two could've done something!"
Severus laughed. "Minerva, I have the blood of Roman senators in my veins, as does my nephew. Do you really think we were going to stop this?"
McGonagall surveyed the other occupants, eyeing them admonishingly for not saying anything to stop the argument.
"Shall we return to business then?" she said in her calmest voice, sitting down and lacing her fingers together.
The group nodded mutely and McGonagall gave a strained smile.
"Good. In relation to your......ahem, debate, Aldous, Miss Lister, my belief is that the heir should be contacted. I will ask a vote on this to be conducted in a day or so. Time must not be wasted here. If the majority of you believe that the heir should be contacted, then a way shall be found. Merlin knows who it could be....."
She continued on, explaining other things, but Severus, for once, was feeling dreadfully unnerved by all this. What had happened that March day eleven years ago?
*flashback*
March 9th, 1996
"Push, Celestina....." the Doctor urged her, as the woman before him wept with pain. "it shall be over in a matter of moments....."
Severus could hear the Doctor's voice from the school courtyard, where he was pacing nervously. Atticus was sitting nearby on one of the stone walls, writing in a book. It was a Saturday, and students were either out at Hogsmeade or enjoying some much-needed leisure time.
He continued pacing on a few moments, when he heard an abrupt cry. Suddenly, coinciding with the wails of a newborn child, there was a great fluttering of wings and Severus looked up to see a fleet of Ravens take flight from the windows of the Ravenclaw commonroom.
"What's going on, Uncle?" asked young Atticus, awestruck by the black birds now circling the castle.
Severus looked to his nephew and for once, didn't have an answer to a question.
"I......I don't know, Atticus.......Gods, I don't know...."
End of chapter.
A/N: Kindly remember to review, friends, Romans, countrymen.....I'm not exactly pleased with this chapter, so I might go back and revise it. Next chapter should be up in two weeks, if all goes to plan.