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belong to the author.
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Chapter Two
"Whoa, did you get a load of everything she said in class?" Ron asked, gaping slightly as they left class two hours later. "She is way into this stuff. I bet she could knock the bollocks off a crowd a Death Eaters if she fancied."
Hermione nodded. "She definitely has a progressive view about the subject. I'm interested to know what she thinks about equal rights for magical creatures." Harry and Ron exchanged silent looks but said nothing. They were a few feet into the hallway when Professor Praline's voice carried out to them.
"Harry, could I speak with you a minute?" Praline asked him.
He stopped short and looked startled. "Uh, sure. Okay," Harry turned and looked at Ron and Hermione who said good-bye and headed off to their next class, History of Magic.
"Who's your next teacher?" Praline asked.
"Professor Binns," Harry answered.
"Oh, good. He won't mind, I was a favorite of his. I actually did well in his class, if you can believe it," Praline grinned and crossed her arms. She leaned against her desk and watched Harry, the appraising look once more in her eye.
"You went to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, surprised. He instantly realized that that should have been obvious. She was Dumbledore's granddaughter after all.
"Yes I went here. I lived in Gryffindor, same as you three. Who's up for the Quidditch Cup this year?" she asked.
Harry smiled; this was something he could be proud of. "We are. Two games ahead of everybody else," he said, trying not to seem boastful.
"That's fabulous! Hair of the father and the skills to match," she teased. "Really, good for you Harry," she beamed at him, proudly.
"So, you knew my father?" Harry couldn't hold back any longer.
"Yes," she answered, nodding. "He was a year ahead of my class. They all were. But I did know the Marauders very well. I got to know your father and Lupin through Sirius actually."
"How's that," Harry pressed, eager to hear all she would tell him.
Praline uncrossed her arms and rose. She walked around her desk and sat behind it, picking up a small silver orb that lay on her desk. The globe rolled from palm to palm as she bit her lip, trying to decide exactly how to phrase her words.
"Harry, your godfather, err, Sirius, and I . . . we were sort of dat- . . . we were an item, for . . . a while," she finally finished.
"You and Sirius dated at Hogwarts?" A smile grew on Harry's face. What she must know. "How long did you see each other? When did you meet? What happened? How come you stopped dating?" Harry shut his mouth abruptly when he saw what his last question had done to the new professor.
Praline had stopped rolling the glass orb and gripped it tightly in one hand. Her knuckles were ghostly white and her face had gone equally as pale. She avoided Harry's gaze when she spoke.
"Sirius and I were close until the end." Praline bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before plunging on. "I went to visit him while he was shut up at his house; I knew how miserable he was, thinking he was unable to do anything for the Order."
"How come he never mentioned you?" Harry blurted out and again, for the umpteenth time that day, wanted to plant his foot squarely in his own rear.
But Praline only smiled, she wasn't surprised at all. But she did look vaguely uncomfortable and embarrassed.
"That was my doing, I'm afraid." She finally confessed. "I'm what they call an unregistered Auror you might say, and a lot of my work can be, well, kind of confidential within the Ministry." She laid the orb back on the desk and sighed. "Harry, my job takes me all over the world and while I loved Sirius deeply, I couldn't stay in hiding with him. We saw each other when we could, when it was safe. This, sadly, was never often enough for either of our liking." Praline got up and paced in front of the desk. She seemed restless with the subject; she wanted to be done with this part of the conversation and see how he would take it and go from there. But first, she had to get through it.
"He wanted us to meet, you and me, but I was afraid-, I knew I would grow attached and at the time, I just couldn't afford that. In my line of work there are times where living through each day is no small matter. I know you've lost a lot of people close to you, Harry; I didn't want you to get another family member just so you could lose me too. I'm sorry Harry, if I have one regret in life; it's not making myself known to you sooner. There were times where Sirius almost introduced us but I backed out on both of them. It all sounds so selfish now and I hope you can forgive me."
Harry was taken aback at her sudden apology. He thought about what she said and in a way, understood what she meant. The part of him that had seen death, the part of him that had felt the loss of friend and family understood why she would take such a thing so seriously. He nodded, understanding her point of view yet still digesting it.
"S'ok. I, I kind of see your point. I would probably do the same thing if I were in your shoes, I dunno," he said. "But you're here now, that's something, isn't it?" he said hopefully.
She gave him another long appraising stare. "You have the pragmatism of an Auror. That's interesting. Yes, Harry, I am here now and I'll be here for a long while. That actually brings me to something else I wanted to discuss with you," she changed the subject smoothly, guiding the conversation back to school matters.
"Dumbledore told me about your D.A. organization that you and your friends formed last year. I was wondering if you all would be interested in continuing. We'd like to expand the club and make it available to all the Houses. Or maybe form one in each house, I'm not sure which way is best but either way, we would need a few head instructors that could train some house leaders," she paused for a breath, "because, let's face it Harry, I think the rest of the students might be a little behind." Praline gave a tired groan and rubbed a hand over her face. "So whattah' ya say Potter? Are you interested?"
"Uh, yea, sure! I have to ask the others but I know most of them will be interested," Harry said, quickly warming to the prospect of teaching the others. The assumption that the meetings would most likely be supervised by Praline was an added plus. "Although, are you absolutely sure we have to teach the Slytherins?" Harry could not hide his grimace at the thought of Draco Malfoy using newly learned jinxes he learned from Harry, on Harry himself. Malfoy, Harry knew, would not be likely to let such a golden opportunity slip past him.
Praline chuckled and sat back in her chair. "While I don't doubt the validity or the sensibility of your question, Harry, I doubt the students in Slytherin House, nor would their parents see this as fair treatment. However, I'm aware of the discord between Gryffindor and Slytherin and I assure you, we'll figure something out. After all, I need a classroom full of bat boogey hexes like I need a hole in my cauldron. Don't worry, I'll speak to the head of Slytherin House and we'll arrange for something."
Harry thought to warn her of Snape's less than perfect social skills but instead found himself asking another question.
"Pra- I mean, Professor, what kind of work do you do exactly, that keeps you so, err, removed?" Harry finally asked.
Praline turned her eyes on him; holding his gaze. "If you really want to know Harry, I do the dirty work that no one wants to do but that has to get done. I don't always like my job but I'm good at it and very few are so it's not like there is someone to take my place. Yet. Overall, I have the kind of career where you have to become accustomed to spending a lot of time alone." She fell silent for a moment than shrugged. "But every experience varies. I'm sure that when you become an Auror it will most certainly be different for you."
"But how could that be? I mean if Auror's have to go in with Voldermort's Death Eaters, no one else can know, right?"
"Yes but, I don't think that will ever be a prospect for you Harry. There are certain qualities that must be present before one can obtain an unregistered status. The Department of Aurors has a lot of different classes. Unreg is just one of many things you can specialize in."
"Why'd you choose it?" Harry asked.
"Like I said, I have certain abilities that make going undercover a bit easier for me." Praline closed her eyes and focused. Her skin seemed to shimmer in the dappled afternoon sunlight. Suddenly her form began to morph and she grew smaller and smaller and decidedly more wrinkled. Harry looked down; he was staring down at a house elf.
The house elf gave him a sharp salute and grinned at his awed expression. "One unemployed house elf at your service." The house elf pulled an expression that looked like she was about to sneeze. Instead, Praline morphed again, this time into Professor Sprout, then into a teenager dressed as a Hogwarts student. She began to morph again when she suddenly uttered a loud, "Oh!" and popped back into her original form.
She rubbed her forehead. "That was weird," Praline murmured.
"What happened?" Harry asked, concern filling his face.
"Well, that last time, I tried to morph into you and something spit me back out. Wouldn't let me do it. I suspect granpapa put a Changeling Defense Charm on you to keep anyone from trying to impersonate you. That's Dumbledore, always prepared. He's probably got you layered in Charms, good for him. Well here's your hall pass, Harry. Tell Professor Binns I'm sorry about keeping you. Although, I don't think he'll mind. As for the D.A., gather your friends and let me know what day you want to meet. I imagine we'll keep the meeting place the same.
She handed Harry the piece of parchment which he took. He stood in front of her desk, hesitation written all over his face. "Professor . . . I was wondering, I mean-" he stopped, unsure of himself.
"Yes Harry? What is it?" Praline arched her eyebrows inquisitively, waiting for him to continue.
But Harry had no idea where to start. The day had started out boring and uneventful and in the span of two hours he now found himself being taught Defense Against the Dark Arts by his godfather's old girlfriend! Harry had no idea how to ask Praline to simply start at the beginning and not stop until she reached the end.
Lucky for him, she seemed to have read his mind and gave him a gentle smile. "I know this afternoon has been quite a shock for you, Harry. You've taken it well and for that I'm grateful but not surprised. Granpapa, I mean, Dumbledore has told me you've become quite unflappable when the situation calls for it. I don't doubt you're wanting to hear more about Sirius and James but I think now might not be the best time; especially when you're supposed to be in another professor's class. How about we get together sometime this weekend if you have any free time, that is? I'm also eager to get to know this 'fantastic godson' I've heard so much about," she teased.
Harry blushed but felt a knot of excitement in his chest and nodded quickly. "That'd be great. We're headed to Hogsmeade tomorrow."
At hearing this, Praline's eyes lit up. "Perfect. I'll find you while you're in town."
Harry's face faltered at this. "But how will you know where we are?" he asked doubtfully.
"I have my ways, don't worry." She winked. "I have an instinct for tracking people down."
Harry smiled and nodded. He had her word she would tell him more and he knew it would have to suffice, for now. Saying good-bye, he was almost at the door when Praline called out to him once more.
"Harry! Oh wait! I've forgotten something!" Harry turned to see Praline digging through her bag and then in turn turning to her desk. She rifled through the drawers and not finding what she wanted, gave an exasperated sigh.
"I was going to give you some books for Hermione but I can't- oh wait- I think they're in my cabinet. Harry could you take a peek in that wardrobe for me while I make sure they're not in here-" Praline upended her small dragon skin backpack onto her desk and Harry was amazed at the quantity of items that poured out and all over the table.
"Is that an enchanted bag?" Harry asked, his eyes widening as two small nifflers, a very large roll of parchment and a gallon jug of butterbeer fell out of Praline's bag and onto the heap of items that had fallen out first.
"What? Oh, enchanted. Don't I wish. That's not a bad idea. No, the bag's not but the wardrobe is." Harry followed her instructions and walked to a tall, slender wardrobe that had appeared in the classroom with Praline's arrival. The wardrobe looked, for all intents and purposes, like an ordinary piece of furniture. But when Harry grasped hold of its large lion-shaped handles and opened the doors; his jaw dropped.
Inside the wardrobe was a small dimly lit room lined with shelves from floor to ceiling. The room seemed to be wider than the physical size of the cabinet but when Harry knocked on both sides of the unit, it proved to be solid wood. He gazed at the small room in wonder before looking back over his shoulder at Praline. She remained behind her desk, hands on her hips, watching his reaction with a delighted grin plastered on her face.
"It's something, isn't it? I actually lived in it for a couple of months when I was traveling through Egypt a while back. Its temperature controlled somehow but the downside is there's no toilet. Go ahead and step inside, the lights'll come one. I think I did leave the books on a shelf in the first room. It'll be three of four thin books tied with a bunch of brown string. I didn't want them to get separated." Praline surveyed the mess she had made on her desk and smirked. She began putting everything back in the bag (except the nifflers who were now nibbling on a corner of the parchment roll). Harry turned his attention back to the wardrobe and crossed over its threshold.
Immediately, the small front room of the wardrobe came aglow with candlelight. It was approximately three feet by four feet with at least a foot above his head to spare. Shelves lined all four walls of the cramped space and were loaded with books, magical equipment and all sorts of odds and ends. Another doorway lay on the opposite wall to his right where a beaded curtain hung made up of round crystal stones that gently refracted the soft candlelight back onto the walls.
Harry looked around him at the shelves in a mixture of bewilderment and delight. It was like Dumbledore's office but much smaller and much, well, cooler. He looked on some of the shelves but could not turn his attention away from the beaded curtain. Giving in, Harry reached out and parted the strands of crystal and stepped into the back room of the wardrobe.
The second room was much larger; at least twelve feet across and ten feet wide. Posters of various rock groups, Muggle movies and works of art hung on almost every available inch of wall space. The Muggle posters had been enchanted so the figures in them moved about just like in a poster from the Magic world did. Harry glanced at several of them as he moved about the room. His attention fell on seating arrangement in a corner. Several oversized poufs lay in a circle around a large stuffed ottoman that served as a coffee table. The room vibrated a warm and comfy feeling and Harry found he felt very much at home here. The poufs and ottoman were done in rich jeweled tones and seemed larger than life; vibrant greens, blues, reds, and yellows beckoned Harry to take a seat. It was then that he noticed the reason why he was here in the first place.
A short stack of books nearly covered in brown string lay next to a royal blue pouf near his legs. Harry picked up the volumes and with a last longing look went back into the front room of the wardrobe to leave. He had one foot back on the Hogwarts floor when he noticed a visitor standing in the doorway of the classroom. Quickly, almost instinctively, he slowly brought his foot back inside.
Severus Snape stood silent in the doorway, watching Praline repack her bag. He said nothing for several moments and merely watched Praline deal with her mess; a thin smile appearing at his lips.
"I see your packrat tendencies haven't ceased with age, Pralina." Snape's voice was low but lacked his usual venom. It was almost normal albeit a tad bit forced.
Praline started and saw who was darkening her doorway.
"Severus!"
"Welcome back, Praline."
She froze, her eyes wide with something Harry could not recognize. But what happened next, even Harry's new centaur divination teacher, Firenze, could not have predicted. Harry's two professors stepped toward each other and embraced. It was clear they had been friends, at least from Praline's expression. To Harry's surprise, relief and what seemed a touch of sadness were written on her face. Snape's reaction while hugging Praline was hidden from view by her tangled mane but Harry could have sworn it looked as if the potions master was breathing in the scent of her hair.
They broke from their embrace and Praline peered up at Snape's hook-nosed face. She gripped his left hand tightly in her right, facing him directly.
"So all is forgiven between us old friend?" Praline asked Snape.
"The past is the past and time heals some scars better than others," Snape said in a vague manner. But he gripped Praline's hand back with both of his. It was a simple gesture but it was enough for Praline, who knew him.
"Then I'm glad, truly glad. I missed you Severus. Whether you believe me or not, I missed you," Praline said sincerely. Harry's heart hammered away in his chest. What on earth was going on? Thinking quickly, he dropped the books on the wardrobe floor with a loud thud that echoed outside.
"I've found them!" he yelled out towards the door of the wardrobe. He scooped up the books and made his way back out into the classroom. "They were way up on a top shelf, I almost didn't see them-" Harry stopped short, feigning surprise upon seeing Snape.
Whatever sense of happiness Severus wore moments ago had vanished. His eyes narrowed viciously as he watched Harry make his way up to the front of the classroom. "Already nosing about in the new professor's belongings, Potter? You used to at least wait until I had left the office."
Harry could feel the hot angry red of embarrassment creep across his face. How bloody dare him! But Snape, it seemed, was not yet finished.
The Potions professor turned to Praline and in his usual dry drawl said, "You might want to keep Potter's hands in your sight, Professor. He has a knack for walking off with things; namely my supplies."
Harry clenched the books he was holding tightly in his hands, his knuckles white under the pressure. The theft Snape spoke of had actually been committed by Hermione for the purpose of concocting a Polyjuice Potion; Harry had merely caused a diversion. But before he could open his mouth to defend himself; Praline intervened.
"Now Severus, allow me to have my own first impression of the boy without your advice, please? I think it's a fair thing to ask for. Yes, Harry, go ahead and take those books on to Miss Granger. Let her know to speak with me if she has any questions." She dismissed Harry with a smile that was as friendly as ever and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Harry's hand had just gripped the door handle when he heard Snape's voice call over his shoulder.
"Potter, come here." Snape's voice hung in the still classroom.
"Yes?" Harry turned and walked back towards him, a furious, defiant look burning in his eyes.
"Empty. Your. Pockets." Professor Snape's words dripped like venom from his lips.
"That won't be necessary, Harry. Please, go on to Professor Binns's. Tell him I'm sorry for keeping you so long." Praline came forward to steer Harry back towards the door but Severus moved forward quickly and casually blocked her path. He stood between her and Harry with his back to Praline.
"That was an order, Potter, I will not repeat myself." Snape looked down at Harry, a dark look on his face. Though Harry had grown almost a foot since his start at Hogwarts he still wondered how Snape could seem just as large and imposing a figure as he was when Harry was a small first-year. However, before he could even reach for his robe pockets, Praline was there, standing between them, her hands gripping both of Harry's to keep them from moving.
"Harry, I want you to listen to me. I want you to turn and walk out that door and head back to Professor Binns's classroom. You are in my class which means you are still under my authority. I am ordering you to go and I expect you to listen or I shall inform Dumbledore of your actions. Thank you for your help, Harry." He felt her hands push him slightly towards the door and he immediately obeyed. Safe outside in the hall, Harry breathed out a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall for a moment. He realized in the next few seconds that it had been a wise idea.
"Severus!" Praline's voice carried through the door and faintly out into the hallway. "I am well aware of the fact that you and I parted ways some time ago. But do not think for an instant that I have forgotten what you can be like and what you are capable of! Like knows like, Severus. And I strongly advise you not to undermine my authority in this classroom and I will not endeavor to undermine YOU IN YOURS!"
Harry listened but could only catch a mere murmur of Snape's voice. He must have said something to placate Praline because she lowered her's as well. Now, Harry could only hear vague syllables and noises emitting from the other side of the door. Giving up, he headed down the hall to Professor Binns's History of Magic.
Binns it turned out had not even noticed Harry's absence and merely waved him to his seat before returning to his droning lecture. Ron and Hermione eyed him curiously, eager to hear what Professor Praline had had to say. Sitting between them, Harry spoke in a lowered voice telling them what he could. They sat in shocked silence, Hermione visibly stiffening at thought of a hug from Snape.
"Ugh. What kind of bravery potion would it take to hug a monster like him," Hermione asked in hushed astonishment.
"Fire whisky," Ron replied darkly, "loads and loads of fire whisky." The three of them snickered behind their hands and tried paying attention, if only for the few remaining minutes of the class. After they were dismissed, Harry, Ron and Hermione filed out of the classroom slowly, hanging back so that Harry could fill them in on the rest. Ron and Hermione were understandably dumbfounded.
"I can't believe she was friends with him! Harry are you sure about this? Maybe you just saw him attacking her and she was fighting him off or something," Ron argued, determined to believe that such a thing was not possible.
"No," Harry said firmly. "It was a full-blown hug. I'm positive."
"But what kind of hug was it?" Hermione asked insistently. "Was it a friendly one? A romantic one? A sisterly one? Did she give him a noogie or anything like that?"
Harry and Ron howled at the thought of Snape's head in a noogie lock. "Oh! Oh, I would pay a million Galleons to see something like that," Ron said, still crying with mirth.
"No, I'm SURE she wasn't giving him noogies. I'd say it was more of a friendly hug. But I don't know about him, I couldn't see his face." Harry confessed. Up ahead were the turn-off corridors that lead to their DADA classroom. The corridor eventually ended up emptying into the Great Hall but it was a longer way that way. On impulse, Harry turned and took the longer way, hoping Ron and Hermione would follow him without noticing. The two were deep in conversation about Snape and Praline but exchanged hidden glances when they saw the off-course route they were taking. But they kept quite about it, Hermione shushing Ron when it seemed he might weaken and say something.
As they neared the door to the classroom, Harry slowed his pace. He peeked in the doorway but straightened up when Hermione and Ron came up behind them. Professor Praline had her back turned to the entrance and was leaning against the side of her desk. She was talking to someone but Harry saw that the class was empty.
"Yes, I know, he's behaving just as you said he would . . ." she laughed at something. It looked as if she were looking down at something in her hands. "No, that hair will never change but really, you must stop it! Don't be so mean!"
Harry's hand shot to his head and smoothed down his hair. Was she talking about me or Snape? Who was she talking to anyway?
"Well I wouldn't make too much fun of Severus if I were you. After all, he's not the only one with a few quirks," Praline said.
"Ehem," Hermione had broken their silence. She looked highly uncomfortable but Harry knew it was because she felt guilty about their eavesdropping.
"I've got to go." Praline looked down once more into her hands and then rose from the desk. She turned to face them quickly slipping something shiny into her robe pockets.
"Hello you three. Sorry about that, just conversing with a friend. How'd the History lesson go?" she asked cheerfully as she bustled around the room doing a bit of last minute straightening. She gathered up her things and joined them at the door, which she shut behind her.
"It was pretty dull as usual," Ron answered honestly. Hermione gave him a poke in his ribs and a meaningful glare.
As she turned to close the door a bit of sunlight refracted through the glass and Praline caught her reflection in the mirror. "Oh my wand! Has my hair looked like a bird's nest this whole time?" The three friends looked at each other in surprise and stifled a laugh. Her head was rather windblown to be honest. She drew her wand and peered at her reflection. Touching her wand to her head she said clearly, "Accio Plait!" Immediately, the hairs atop her head flew straight out and began to weave themselves into a neat, thick braid that fell to the middle of her back.
"How did you do that?" Hermione asked delightedly. "Please teach me that spell!" she pleaded as her right hand crept to her shoulder and fingered several strands of her bushy hair."
Praline smiled understandingly and nodded. 'It's actually not so much as a spell as it is a potion." She fished around in her pack and withdrew a small pink bottle which she gave to Hermione. "Keep it," she offered, "the instructions are on the back."
Bewitching Beverly's Detangle Tonic- Braids, Curls, Spikes at your command! The bottle was still three-fourths full and Hermione thanked her before placing it carefully in her schoolbag. "Oh thank you so much!" she said breathlessly.
"Anytime. Just don't activate it outside when the wind is blowing, it just makes it worse and I would advise using it in the dining hall or a kitchen. You're liable to get a mountain of crockery come flying at your head should the plates misunderstand you."
Hermione looked surprised but thanked her again for the warnings.
"Professor are you headed to dinner with us?" she asked.
"Yes, I may not join you every night, but tonight I'd like to see a few old friends. I hope Hagrid is here. I've missed him most terribly."
"So you knew Hagrid too?" Harry exclaimed, "What was he like?"
"A big gentle lug. The kind of person who could probably befriend a giant," Praline said.
At this, all three of her students snorted back convulsive gales of laughter. They were half hysterical with it. Praline looked at all of them in wonder trying to remember what she said. As comprehension dawned on her face it set off fresh snickers.
Finally, Ron was the first to grow serious. "You know, it's funny you should mention that."
Praline looked to him, Hermione and then Harry; confirmation written all over their faces. "You're joking, right," she asked weakly. "He didn't bring it here, did he?"
They nodded.
"Please tell me that Dumbledore knows."
Again they nodded.
Praline looked visibly relieved. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed deep. "Merlin's beard that man could tame a dragon," she said in exasperated wonder.
"No, no that didn't work out too well," Harry quipped and they dissolved into fresh laughter.
She opened her eyes and scrutinized him for a second; not sure whether he was joking or not. Praline finally rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "What can I say; it's good to be home."
"May I have everyone's attention, if you please?" Albus Dumbledore's voice carried to the far end of the Great Hall and the after-dinner chatter ceased immediately. The eyes of all four tables were upon him, expectant faces waiting for what he had to say.
"A few announcements before you retire to your Common Rooms. First, as you all know, our wait for the arrival of your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has come to an end. I would like to introduce you to Professor Praline Dumbledore. You may address her as Professor Praline to avoid any obvious confusion."
The students twittered and curious whispers could be heard around the room. Dumbledore, however, had more to say.
"I think you'll find her well-suited to the subject due to the fact that she has worked as an Auror for many years. Please welcome her in a manner befitting your school," he paused, looking down over his glasses at the students.
"Announcement number two concerns an upcoming school function that will be more fully developed with the help of some of you. Due to a recently formed friendship that has developed between Hogwarts and the musical group, Dragonsfire, they have offered to perform a free show for our student body. As such, there will be a dance, held a month from now, in the Great Hall. Yes, Miss Pavarti, you may bring dates."
At his news, the entire hall erupted in applause and excited chattering voices. Next to the Weird Sisters, Dragonsfire, an up-and-coming rock band, were the biggest thing in the teenage magical music community. Harry remembered seeing a poster of the group in Praline's wardrobe and wondered if she had had a hand in this.
After Dumbledore dismissed them, they joined the queue and filed out the Great Hall and up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. Inside, the only topic discussed was the upcoming dance.
"I love Dragonsfire; I know all their songs by heart. They even play "Merlin's Beard" when Ireland takes the field at games." Harry overheard Seamus and instantly knew he was talking about the Ireland Quidditch team. He had recognized the song too when they played it at the World Cup two years ago.
"I think Praline is friends with the band," Harry said. He told them about seeing the poster in her wardrobe and they wanted him to describe the entire inside of the cabinet. When they were somewhat satisfied, Hermione brought up the matter of re-forming the D.A. organization. A number of the club's members were in the room and overheard her. They began asking questions such as when the meeting would be held and where. Since the knowledge of the club was no longer secret, every Gryffindor present in the room wanted to know if they could attend the first scheduled meeting.
"Sure," Harry said, inwardly pleased at their interest. Harry, Ron and Hermione, satisfied with the activity of the day's events, hung out in the Common Room for quite some time, whiling away the free hours of their Friday evening drinking butterbeer, playing games, and talking. Tomorrow was a Hogsmeade day and everyone seemed particularly wound up especially with a new professor and dance on top of the visit.
Around one in the morning, Ron, Harry and Hermione parted ways and headed up to their dormitories for some rest. Harry felt physically exhausted but his mind was still whirring away with unanswered questions about the new professor and her relationship with the grown men in his life. Was it possible to be friends with my dad and Snape at the same time? How did a Gryffindor befriend a Slytherin? And what happened that they both had to apologize for it?
Harry began to doze off and then envisioned himself drawing silvery thoughts out of his head using his wand. It was one of many mental tricks Dumbledore had taught him in his Occlumancy lessons this year. Slowly, his breathing became slow and even, his eyelids fluttered and his pulse fell to a placid thud, thud.
When the curtain of blank fell, Harry did not notice the point where meditation became sleep. He fell back onto his pillows into a rare night of empty, dreamless and very restful sleep.
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Thanks for the reviews. Hope this kept you interested. If so, let me know what you thought. And please, tell a friend!
Fayth- Yea, it is the name of an ice cream (one of my favorites actually). I wanted her to have a slightly embarrassing name, kind of a humbling device. All this ability yet she's named after dessert flavor. I plan on working it into the story later on.
Thanks again for reading! (
Chapter Two
"Whoa, did you get a load of everything she said in class?" Ron asked, gaping slightly as they left class two hours later. "She is way into this stuff. I bet she could knock the bollocks off a crowd a Death Eaters if she fancied."
Hermione nodded. "She definitely has a progressive view about the subject. I'm interested to know what she thinks about equal rights for magical creatures." Harry and Ron exchanged silent looks but said nothing. They were a few feet into the hallway when Professor Praline's voice carried out to them.
"Harry, could I speak with you a minute?" Praline asked him.
He stopped short and looked startled. "Uh, sure. Okay," Harry turned and looked at Ron and Hermione who said good-bye and headed off to their next class, History of Magic.
"Who's your next teacher?" Praline asked.
"Professor Binns," Harry answered.
"Oh, good. He won't mind, I was a favorite of his. I actually did well in his class, if you can believe it," Praline grinned and crossed her arms. She leaned against her desk and watched Harry, the appraising look once more in her eye.
"You went to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, surprised. He instantly realized that that should have been obvious. She was Dumbledore's granddaughter after all.
"Yes I went here. I lived in Gryffindor, same as you three. Who's up for the Quidditch Cup this year?" she asked.
Harry smiled; this was something he could be proud of. "We are. Two games ahead of everybody else," he said, trying not to seem boastful.
"That's fabulous! Hair of the father and the skills to match," she teased. "Really, good for you Harry," she beamed at him, proudly.
"So, you knew my father?" Harry couldn't hold back any longer.
"Yes," she answered, nodding. "He was a year ahead of my class. They all were. But I did know the Marauders very well. I got to know your father and Lupin through Sirius actually."
"How's that," Harry pressed, eager to hear all she would tell him.
Praline uncrossed her arms and rose. She walked around her desk and sat behind it, picking up a small silver orb that lay on her desk. The globe rolled from palm to palm as she bit her lip, trying to decide exactly how to phrase her words.
"Harry, your godfather, err, Sirius, and I . . . we were sort of dat- . . . we were an item, for . . . a while," she finally finished.
"You and Sirius dated at Hogwarts?" A smile grew on Harry's face. What she must know. "How long did you see each other? When did you meet? What happened? How come you stopped dating?" Harry shut his mouth abruptly when he saw what his last question had done to the new professor.
Praline had stopped rolling the glass orb and gripped it tightly in one hand. Her knuckles were ghostly white and her face had gone equally as pale. She avoided Harry's gaze when she spoke.
"Sirius and I were close until the end." Praline bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before plunging on. "I went to visit him while he was shut up at his house; I knew how miserable he was, thinking he was unable to do anything for the Order."
"How come he never mentioned you?" Harry blurted out and again, for the umpteenth time that day, wanted to plant his foot squarely in his own rear.
But Praline only smiled, she wasn't surprised at all. But she did look vaguely uncomfortable and embarrassed.
"That was my doing, I'm afraid." She finally confessed. "I'm what they call an unregistered Auror you might say, and a lot of my work can be, well, kind of confidential within the Ministry." She laid the orb back on the desk and sighed. "Harry, my job takes me all over the world and while I loved Sirius deeply, I couldn't stay in hiding with him. We saw each other when we could, when it was safe. This, sadly, was never often enough for either of our liking." Praline got up and paced in front of the desk. She seemed restless with the subject; she wanted to be done with this part of the conversation and see how he would take it and go from there. But first, she had to get through it.
"He wanted us to meet, you and me, but I was afraid-, I knew I would grow attached and at the time, I just couldn't afford that. In my line of work there are times where living through each day is no small matter. I know you've lost a lot of people close to you, Harry; I didn't want you to get another family member just so you could lose me too. I'm sorry Harry, if I have one regret in life; it's not making myself known to you sooner. There were times where Sirius almost introduced us but I backed out on both of them. It all sounds so selfish now and I hope you can forgive me."
Harry was taken aback at her sudden apology. He thought about what she said and in a way, understood what she meant. The part of him that had seen death, the part of him that had felt the loss of friend and family understood why she would take such a thing so seriously. He nodded, understanding her point of view yet still digesting it.
"S'ok. I, I kind of see your point. I would probably do the same thing if I were in your shoes, I dunno," he said. "But you're here now, that's something, isn't it?" he said hopefully.
She gave him another long appraising stare. "You have the pragmatism of an Auror. That's interesting. Yes, Harry, I am here now and I'll be here for a long while. That actually brings me to something else I wanted to discuss with you," she changed the subject smoothly, guiding the conversation back to school matters.
"Dumbledore told me about your D.A. organization that you and your friends formed last year. I was wondering if you all would be interested in continuing. We'd like to expand the club and make it available to all the Houses. Or maybe form one in each house, I'm not sure which way is best but either way, we would need a few head instructors that could train some house leaders," she paused for a breath, "because, let's face it Harry, I think the rest of the students might be a little behind." Praline gave a tired groan and rubbed a hand over her face. "So whattah' ya say Potter? Are you interested?"
"Uh, yea, sure! I have to ask the others but I know most of them will be interested," Harry said, quickly warming to the prospect of teaching the others. The assumption that the meetings would most likely be supervised by Praline was an added plus. "Although, are you absolutely sure we have to teach the Slytherins?" Harry could not hide his grimace at the thought of Draco Malfoy using newly learned jinxes he learned from Harry, on Harry himself. Malfoy, Harry knew, would not be likely to let such a golden opportunity slip past him.
Praline chuckled and sat back in her chair. "While I don't doubt the validity or the sensibility of your question, Harry, I doubt the students in Slytherin House, nor would their parents see this as fair treatment. However, I'm aware of the discord between Gryffindor and Slytherin and I assure you, we'll figure something out. After all, I need a classroom full of bat boogey hexes like I need a hole in my cauldron. Don't worry, I'll speak to the head of Slytherin House and we'll arrange for something."
Harry thought to warn her of Snape's less than perfect social skills but instead found himself asking another question.
"Pra- I mean, Professor, what kind of work do you do exactly, that keeps you so, err, removed?" Harry finally asked.
Praline turned her eyes on him; holding his gaze. "If you really want to know Harry, I do the dirty work that no one wants to do but that has to get done. I don't always like my job but I'm good at it and very few are so it's not like there is someone to take my place. Yet. Overall, I have the kind of career where you have to become accustomed to spending a lot of time alone." She fell silent for a moment than shrugged. "But every experience varies. I'm sure that when you become an Auror it will most certainly be different for you."
"But how could that be? I mean if Auror's have to go in with Voldermort's Death Eaters, no one else can know, right?"
"Yes but, I don't think that will ever be a prospect for you Harry. There are certain qualities that must be present before one can obtain an unregistered status. The Department of Aurors has a lot of different classes. Unreg is just one of many things you can specialize in."
"Why'd you choose it?" Harry asked.
"Like I said, I have certain abilities that make going undercover a bit easier for me." Praline closed her eyes and focused. Her skin seemed to shimmer in the dappled afternoon sunlight. Suddenly her form began to morph and she grew smaller and smaller and decidedly more wrinkled. Harry looked down; he was staring down at a house elf.
The house elf gave him a sharp salute and grinned at his awed expression. "One unemployed house elf at your service." The house elf pulled an expression that looked like she was about to sneeze. Instead, Praline morphed again, this time into Professor Sprout, then into a teenager dressed as a Hogwarts student. She began to morph again when she suddenly uttered a loud, "Oh!" and popped back into her original form.
She rubbed her forehead. "That was weird," Praline murmured.
"What happened?" Harry asked, concern filling his face.
"Well, that last time, I tried to morph into you and something spit me back out. Wouldn't let me do it. I suspect granpapa put a Changeling Defense Charm on you to keep anyone from trying to impersonate you. That's Dumbledore, always prepared. He's probably got you layered in Charms, good for him. Well here's your hall pass, Harry. Tell Professor Binns I'm sorry about keeping you. Although, I don't think he'll mind. As for the D.A., gather your friends and let me know what day you want to meet. I imagine we'll keep the meeting place the same.
She handed Harry the piece of parchment which he took. He stood in front of her desk, hesitation written all over his face. "Professor . . . I was wondering, I mean-" he stopped, unsure of himself.
"Yes Harry? What is it?" Praline arched her eyebrows inquisitively, waiting for him to continue.
But Harry had no idea where to start. The day had started out boring and uneventful and in the span of two hours he now found himself being taught Defense Against the Dark Arts by his godfather's old girlfriend! Harry had no idea how to ask Praline to simply start at the beginning and not stop until she reached the end.
Lucky for him, she seemed to have read his mind and gave him a gentle smile. "I know this afternoon has been quite a shock for you, Harry. You've taken it well and for that I'm grateful but not surprised. Granpapa, I mean, Dumbledore has told me you've become quite unflappable when the situation calls for it. I don't doubt you're wanting to hear more about Sirius and James but I think now might not be the best time; especially when you're supposed to be in another professor's class. How about we get together sometime this weekend if you have any free time, that is? I'm also eager to get to know this 'fantastic godson' I've heard so much about," she teased.
Harry blushed but felt a knot of excitement in his chest and nodded quickly. "That'd be great. We're headed to Hogsmeade tomorrow."
At hearing this, Praline's eyes lit up. "Perfect. I'll find you while you're in town."
Harry's face faltered at this. "But how will you know where we are?" he asked doubtfully.
"I have my ways, don't worry." She winked. "I have an instinct for tracking people down."
Harry smiled and nodded. He had her word she would tell him more and he knew it would have to suffice, for now. Saying good-bye, he was almost at the door when Praline called out to him once more.
"Harry! Oh wait! I've forgotten something!" Harry turned to see Praline digging through her bag and then in turn turning to her desk. She rifled through the drawers and not finding what she wanted, gave an exasperated sigh.
"I was going to give you some books for Hermione but I can't- oh wait- I think they're in my cabinet. Harry could you take a peek in that wardrobe for me while I make sure they're not in here-" Praline upended her small dragon skin backpack onto her desk and Harry was amazed at the quantity of items that poured out and all over the table.
"Is that an enchanted bag?" Harry asked, his eyes widening as two small nifflers, a very large roll of parchment and a gallon jug of butterbeer fell out of Praline's bag and onto the heap of items that had fallen out first.
"What? Oh, enchanted. Don't I wish. That's not a bad idea. No, the bag's not but the wardrobe is." Harry followed her instructions and walked to a tall, slender wardrobe that had appeared in the classroom with Praline's arrival. The wardrobe looked, for all intents and purposes, like an ordinary piece of furniture. But when Harry grasped hold of its large lion-shaped handles and opened the doors; his jaw dropped.
Inside the wardrobe was a small dimly lit room lined with shelves from floor to ceiling. The room seemed to be wider than the physical size of the cabinet but when Harry knocked on both sides of the unit, it proved to be solid wood. He gazed at the small room in wonder before looking back over his shoulder at Praline. She remained behind her desk, hands on her hips, watching his reaction with a delighted grin plastered on her face.
"It's something, isn't it? I actually lived in it for a couple of months when I was traveling through Egypt a while back. Its temperature controlled somehow but the downside is there's no toilet. Go ahead and step inside, the lights'll come one. I think I did leave the books on a shelf in the first room. It'll be three of four thin books tied with a bunch of brown string. I didn't want them to get separated." Praline surveyed the mess she had made on her desk and smirked. She began putting everything back in the bag (except the nifflers who were now nibbling on a corner of the parchment roll). Harry turned his attention back to the wardrobe and crossed over its threshold.
Immediately, the small front room of the wardrobe came aglow with candlelight. It was approximately three feet by four feet with at least a foot above his head to spare. Shelves lined all four walls of the cramped space and were loaded with books, magical equipment and all sorts of odds and ends. Another doorway lay on the opposite wall to his right where a beaded curtain hung made up of round crystal stones that gently refracted the soft candlelight back onto the walls.
Harry looked around him at the shelves in a mixture of bewilderment and delight. It was like Dumbledore's office but much smaller and much, well, cooler. He looked on some of the shelves but could not turn his attention away from the beaded curtain. Giving in, Harry reached out and parted the strands of crystal and stepped into the back room of the wardrobe.
The second room was much larger; at least twelve feet across and ten feet wide. Posters of various rock groups, Muggle movies and works of art hung on almost every available inch of wall space. The Muggle posters had been enchanted so the figures in them moved about just like in a poster from the Magic world did. Harry glanced at several of them as he moved about the room. His attention fell on seating arrangement in a corner. Several oversized poufs lay in a circle around a large stuffed ottoman that served as a coffee table. The room vibrated a warm and comfy feeling and Harry found he felt very much at home here. The poufs and ottoman were done in rich jeweled tones and seemed larger than life; vibrant greens, blues, reds, and yellows beckoned Harry to take a seat. It was then that he noticed the reason why he was here in the first place.
A short stack of books nearly covered in brown string lay next to a royal blue pouf near his legs. Harry picked up the volumes and with a last longing look went back into the front room of the wardrobe to leave. He had one foot back on the Hogwarts floor when he noticed a visitor standing in the doorway of the classroom. Quickly, almost instinctively, he slowly brought his foot back inside.
Severus Snape stood silent in the doorway, watching Praline repack her bag. He said nothing for several moments and merely watched Praline deal with her mess; a thin smile appearing at his lips.
"I see your packrat tendencies haven't ceased with age, Pralina." Snape's voice was low but lacked his usual venom. It was almost normal albeit a tad bit forced.
Praline started and saw who was darkening her doorway.
"Severus!"
"Welcome back, Praline."
She froze, her eyes wide with something Harry could not recognize. But what happened next, even Harry's new centaur divination teacher, Firenze, could not have predicted. Harry's two professors stepped toward each other and embraced. It was clear they had been friends, at least from Praline's expression. To Harry's surprise, relief and what seemed a touch of sadness were written on her face. Snape's reaction while hugging Praline was hidden from view by her tangled mane but Harry could have sworn it looked as if the potions master was breathing in the scent of her hair.
They broke from their embrace and Praline peered up at Snape's hook-nosed face. She gripped his left hand tightly in her right, facing him directly.
"So all is forgiven between us old friend?" Praline asked Snape.
"The past is the past and time heals some scars better than others," Snape said in a vague manner. But he gripped Praline's hand back with both of his. It was a simple gesture but it was enough for Praline, who knew him.
"Then I'm glad, truly glad. I missed you Severus. Whether you believe me or not, I missed you," Praline said sincerely. Harry's heart hammered away in his chest. What on earth was going on? Thinking quickly, he dropped the books on the wardrobe floor with a loud thud that echoed outside.
"I've found them!" he yelled out towards the door of the wardrobe. He scooped up the books and made his way back out into the classroom. "They were way up on a top shelf, I almost didn't see them-" Harry stopped short, feigning surprise upon seeing Snape.
Whatever sense of happiness Severus wore moments ago had vanished. His eyes narrowed viciously as he watched Harry make his way up to the front of the classroom. "Already nosing about in the new professor's belongings, Potter? You used to at least wait until I had left the office."
Harry could feel the hot angry red of embarrassment creep across his face. How bloody dare him! But Snape, it seemed, was not yet finished.
The Potions professor turned to Praline and in his usual dry drawl said, "You might want to keep Potter's hands in your sight, Professor. He has a knack for walking off with things; namely my supplies."
Harry clenched the books he was holding tightly in his hands, his knuckles white under the pressure. The theft Snape spoke of had actually been committed by Hermione for the purpose of concocting a Polyjuice Potion; Harry had merely caused a diversion. But before he could open his mouth to defend himself; Praline intervened.
"Now Severus, allow me to have my own first impression of the boy without your advice, please? I think it's a fair thing to ask for. Yes, Harry, go ahead and take those books on to Miss Granger. Let her know to speak with me if she has any questions." She dismissed Harry with a smile that was as friendly as ever and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Harry's hand had just gripped the door handle when he heard Snape's voice call over his shoulder.
"Potter, come here." Snape's voice hung in the still classroom.
"Yes?" Harry turned and walked back towards him, a furious, defiant look burning in his eyes.
"Empty. Your. Pockets." Professor Snape's words dripped like venom from his lips.
"That won't be necessary, Harry. Please, go on to Professor Binns's. Tell him I'm sorry for keeping you so long." Praline came forward to steer Harry back towards the door but Severus moved forward quickly and casually blocked her path. He stood between her and Harry with his back to Praline.
"That was an order, Potter, I will not repeat myself." Snape looked down at Harry, a dark look on his face. Though Harry had grown almost a foot since his start at Hogwarts he still wondered how Snape could seem just as large and imposing a figure as he was when Harry was a small first-year. However, before he could even reach for his robe pockets, Praline was there, standing between them, her hands gripping both of Harry's to keep them from moving.
"Harry, I want you to listen to me. I want you to turn and walk out that door and head back to Professor Binns's classroom. You are in my class which means you are still under my authority. I am ordering you to go and I expect you to listen or I shall inform Dumbledore of your actions. Thank you for your help, Harry." He felt her hands push him slightly towards the door and he immediately obeyed. Safe outside in the hall, Harry breathed out a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall for a moment. He realized in the next few seconds that it had been a wise idea.
"Severus!" Praline's voice carried through the door and faintly out into the hallway. "I am well aware of the fact that you and I parted ways some time ago. But do not think for an instant that I have forgotten what you can be like and what you are capable of! Like knows like, Severus. And I strongly advise you not to undermine my authority in this classroom and I will not endeavor to undermine YOU IN YOURS!"
Harry listened but could only catch a mere murmur of Snape's voice. He must have said something to placate Praline because she lowered her's as well. Now, Harry could only hear vague syllables and noises emitting from the other side of the door. Giving up, he headed down the hall to Professor Binns's History of Magic.
Binns it turned out had not even noticed Harry's absence and merely waved him to his seat before returning to his droning lecture. Ron and Hermione eyed him curiously, eager to hear what Professor Praline had had to say. Sitting between them, Harry spoke in a lowered voice telling them what he could. They sat in shocked silence, Hermione visibly stiffening at thought of a hug from Snape.
"Ugh. What kind of bravery potion would it take to hug a monster like him," Hermione asked in hushed astonishment.
"Fire whisky," Ron replied darkly, "loads and loads of fire whisky." The three of them snickered behind their hands and tried paying attention, if only for the few remaining minutes of the class. After they were dismissed, Harry, Ron and Hermione filed out of the classroom slowly, hanging back so that Harry could fill them in on the rest. Ron and Hermione were understandably dumbfounded.
"I can't believe she was friends with him! Harry are you sure about this? Maybe you just saw him attacking her and she was fighting him off or something," Ron argued, determined to believe that such a thing was not possible.
"No," Harry said firmly. "It was a full-blown hug. I'm positive."
"But what kind of hug was it?" Hermione asked insistently. "Was it a friendly one? A romantic one? A sisterly one? Did she give him a noogie or anything like that?"
Harry and Ron howled at the thought of Snape's head in a noogie lock. "Oh! Oh, I would pay a million Galleons to see something like that," Ron said, still crying with mirth.
"No, I'm SURE she wasn't giving him noogies. I'd say it was more of a friendly hug. But I don't know about him, I couldn't see his face." Harry confessed. Up ahead were the turn-off corridors that lead to their DADA classroom. The corridor eventually ended up emptying into the Great Hall but it was a longer way that way. On impulse, Harry turned and took the longer way, hoping Ron and Hermione would follow him without noticing. The two were deep in conversation about Snape and Praline but exchanged hidden glances when they saw the off-course route they were taking. But they kept quite about it, Hermione shushing Ron when it seemed he might weaken and say something.
As they neared the door to the classroom, Harry slowed his pace. He peeked in the doorway but straightened up when Hermione and Ron came up behind them. Professor Praline had her back turned to the entrance and was leaning against the side of her desk. She was talking to someone but Harry saw that the class was empty.
"Yes, I know, he's behaving just as you said he would . . ." she laughed at something. It looked as if she were looking down at something in her hands. "No, that hair will never change but really, you must stop it! Don't be so mean!"
Harry's hand shot to his head and smoothed down his hair. Was she talking about me or Snape? Who was she talking to anyway?
"Well I wouldn't make too much fun of Severus if I were you. After all, he's not the only one with a few quirks," Praline said.
"Ehem," Hermione had broken their silence. She looked highly uncomfortable but Harry knew it was because she felt guilty about their eavesdropping.
"I've got to go." Praline looked down once more into her hands and then rose from the desk. She turned to face them quickly slipping something shiny into her robe pockets.
"Hello you three. Sorry about that, just conversing with a friend. How'd the History lesson go?" she asked cheerfully as she bustled around the room doing a bit of last minute straightening. She gathered up her things and joined them at the door, which she shut behind her.
"It was pretty dull as usual," Ron answered honestly. Hermione gave him a poke in his ribs and a meaningful glare.
As she turned to close the door a bit of sunlight refracted through the glass and Praline caught her reflection in the mirror. "Oh my wand! Has my hair looked like a bird's nest this whole time?" The three friends looked at each other in surprise and stifled a laugh. Her head was rather windblown to be honest. She drew her wand and peered at her reflection. Touching her wand to her head she said clearly, "Accio Plait!" Immediately, the hairs atop her head flew straight out and began to weave themselves into a neat, thick braid that fell to the middle of her back.
"How did you do that?" Hermione asked delightedly. "Please teach me that spell!" she pleaded as her right hand crept to her shoulder and fingered several strands of her bushy hair."
Praline smiled understandingly and nodded. 'It's actually not so much as a spell as it is a potion." She fished around in her pack and withdrew a small pink bottle which she gave to Hermione. "Keep it," she offered, "the instructions are on the back."
Bewitching Beverly's Detangle Tonic- Braids, Curls, Spikes at your command! The bottle was still three-fourths full and Hermione thanked her before placing it carefully in her schoolbag. "Oh thank you so much!" she said breathlessly.
"Anytime. Just don't activate it outside when the wind is blowing, it just makes it worse and I would advise using it in the dining hall or a kitchen. You're liable to get a mountain of crockery come flying at your head should the plates misunderstand you."
Hermione looked surprised but thanked her again for the warnings.
"Professor are you headed to dinner with us?" she asked.
"Yes, I may not join you every night, but tonight I'd like to see a few old friends. I hope Hagrid is here. I've missed him most terribly."
"So you knew Hagrid too?" Harry exclaimed, "What was he like?"
"A big gentle lug. The kind of person who could probably befriend a giant," Praline said.
At this, all three of her students snorted back convulsive gales of laughter. They were half hysterical with it. Praline looked at all of them in wonder trying to remember what she said. As comprehension dawned on her face it set off fresh snickers.
Finally, Ron was the first to grow serious. "You know, it's funny you should mention that."
Praline looked to him, Hermione and then Harry; confirmation written all over their faces. "You're joking, right," she asked weakly. "He didn't bring it here, did he?"
They nodded.
"Please tell me that Dumbledore knows."
Again they nodded.
Praline looked visibly relieved. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed deep. "Merlin's beard that man could tame a dragon," she said in exasperated wonder.
"No, no that didn't work out too well," Harry quipped and they dissolved into fresh laughter.
She opened her eyes and scrutinized him for a second; not sure whether he was joking or not. Praline finally rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "What can I say; it's good to be home."
"May I have everyone's attention, if you please?" Albus Dumbledore's voice carried to the far end of the Great Hall and the after-dinner chatter ceased immediately. The eyes of all four tables were upon him, expectant faces waiting for what he had to say.
"A few announcements before you retire to your Common Rooms. First, as you all know, our wait for the arrival of your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has come to an end. I would like to introduce you to Professor Praline Dumbledore. You may address her as Professor Praline to avoid any obvious confusion."
The students twittered and curious whispers could be heard around the room. Dumbledore, however, had more to say.
"I think you'll find her well-suited to the subject due to the fact that she has worked as an Auror for many years. Please welcome her in a manner befitting your school," he paused, looking down over his glasses at the students.
"Announcement number two concerns an upcoming school function that will be more fully developed with the help of some of you. Due to a recently formed friendship that has developed between Hogwarts and the musical group, Dragonsfire, they have offered to perform a free show for our student body. As such, there will be a dance, held a month from now, in the Great Hall. Yes, Miss Pavarti, you may bring dates."
At his news, the entire hall erupted in applause and excited chattering voices. Next to the Weird Sisters, Dragonsfire, an up-and-coming rock band, were the biggest thing in the teenage magical music community. Harry remembered seeing a poster of the group in Praline's wardrobe and wondered if she had had a hand in this.
After Dumbledore dismissed them, they joined the queue and filed out the Great Hall and up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. Inside, the only topic discussed was the upcoming dance.
"I love Dragonsfire; I know all their songs by heart. They even play "Merlin's Beard" when Ireland takes the field at games." Harry overheard Seamus and instantly knew he was talking about the Ireland Quidditch team. He had recognized the song too when they played it at the World Cup two years ago.
"I think Praline is friends with the band," Harry said. He told them about seeing the poster in her wardrobe and they wanted him to describe the entire inside of the cabinet. When they were somewhat satisfied, Hermione brought up the matter of re-forming the D.A. organization. A number of the club's members were in the room and overheard her. They began asking questions such as when the meeting would be held and where. Since the knowledge of the club was no longer secret, every Gryffindor present in the room wanted to know if they could attend the first scheduled meeting.
"Sure," Harry said, inwardly pleased at their interest. Harry, Ron and Hermione, satisfied with the activity of the day's events, hung out in the Common Room for quite some time, whiling away the free hours of their Friday evening drinking butterbeer, playing games, and talking. Tomorrow was a Hogsmeade day and everyone seemed particularly wound up especially with a new professor and dance on top of the visit.
Around one in the morning, Ron, Harry and Hermione parted ways and headed up to their dormitories for some rest. Harry felt physically exhausted but his mind was still whirring away with unanswered questions about the new professor and her relationship with the grown men in his life. Was it possible to be friends with my dad and Snape at the same time? How did a Gryffindor befriend a Slytherin? And what happened that they both had to apologize for it?
Harry began to doze off and then envisioned himself drawing silvery thoughts out of his head using his wand. It was one of many mental tricks Dumbledore had taught him in his Occlumancy lessons this year. Slowly, his breathing became slow and even, his eyelids fluttered and his pulse fell to a placid thud, thud.
When the curtain of blank fell, Harry did not notice the point where meditation became sleep. He fell back onto his pillows into a rare night of empty, dreamless and very restful sleep.
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Thanks for the reviews. Hope this kept you interested. If so, let me know what you thought. And please, tell a friend!
Fayth- Yea, it is the name of an ice cream (one of my favorites actually). I wanted her to have a slightly embarrassing name, kind of a humbling device. All this ability yet she's named after dessert flavor. I plan on working it into the story later on.
Thanks again for reading! (