Notes:            

Summary: What if the creators of Hogwarts had created a guardian? Someone who would look after the students and teachers of Hogwarts long after they had gone? And with Voldemort newly risen, what better time to call on this guardian for protection.

Disclaimer: I don't own the world this story is set in and I don't own most of the characters in this story. However I do own all the mistakes, Kaila and anything that might resemble a plot.

Chapter 1: Awakening

I open my eyes to find myself in the headmaster's office. A stern looking witch and an intense looking wizard are stood at the edges of the room; both are looking curiously at me, but in front of me is the headmaster, who merely looks very tired.

"Kaila," He greets me. "I am Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"I remember," I say softly, "What do you wish of me?"

"Voldemort has risen again. I wish you to protect the school from him and his Death Eaters." The others in the room shiver at the sound of the Dark Lord's name.

"Is He here now?"

"No, but I doubt He will stay away for long," The professor sighs. "And I need you to teach the students Defence Against the Dark Arts. There is no one else to teach the students how to protect themselves as everyone is preparing themselves against possible attacks."

"Yes, Professor. When would you like me to begin?"

"Tonight you will be taken to meet all of the professors here, then tomorrow afternoon the students will arrive to begin the school year. I would like you to meet all of them so that you know who is supposed to be here. Lessons will begin the next day."

I nod.

"Now this is Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. They are the heads of the Gryffindor and Slytherin Houses," Dumbledore turns to Professor McGonagall, but I remain staring at the tall dark Professor Snape. "Could you introduce Kaila to the others please professor?"

The shorter dark haired witch nods and motions for me to follow her. I follow in silence out of the office. As we descend the stairway I hear Snape speak to Dumbledore.

"Are you sure this is wise?"

"I'm very sure Professor. Now if you could pour me a glass of your replenishing draught…"

When we are alone in the corridor below I state. "Professor Snape wears the mark of the Dark Lord."

She stops to look at me sharply. "How can you tell?"

"I can feel it. I remember what Death Eaters feel like."

The witch looks slightly worried at that. "Professor Dumbledore trusts Severus, he always has," She begins walking again. "He is not someone you need to worry about."

I nod and follow her to the staff room.

"Everybody, this is Kaila, the human projection of Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall announces to the assembled staff. I go around meeting the professors, shaking the hands and learning the feel of them within the castle. Everybody has a slightly different feel, McGonagall for instance, feels sharp, yet feline. Presumably she's an animagi, as they always feel slightly like the animal that they can change into.

After meeting the other professors I am given a quick tour into the kitchens to meet the house elves before being shown to a small room adjacent to the stairway to Professor Dumbledore's office to sleep.

Once I'm alone I finally have time to think. I walk over to the oval mirror that hangs above the desk in my room so that I may see what I look like this time. A girl of roughly 18 looks back at me from the mirror, her long brown hair falling messily around her face. I look down from my dark brown eyes to search for a hairbrush in the room. I eventually find a bag of essential toiletries in the wardrobe, next to several robes that I just know will fit me perfectly. I return to the mirror and begin to brush my hair as I reflect on the reason for my being here.

Voldemort rising again didn't really surprise me. Last time I had been called it had been to for the few moments that he was in the school grounds. Dozens of Death Eaters were led by the Dark Lord right through the gates of Hogwarts. They were just beginning their attack on the main doors when Dumbledore had called me. I had immediately apparated before the Dark Lords army, and sent them all to the outer reaches of the Sahara. That was all I was needed for, so Dumbledore undid the spell that had made me, and I ceased to exist.

I pause brushing my hair, and lean closer to the mirror. Scanning my face closely I realise that I recognise myself. This is what I used to look like. A small smile lights my face as I recall my first incarnation, as the first pupil of Hogwarts.