:: Chapter Two ::
The Preparation ~ September 2 (Hogsmeade)
The Wizarding village of Hogsmeade was every bit as sunny as her bedroom had been. The sights, the smells - Honeydukes and Zonko's and. Now she was an adult and could drink legally. With a light grin on her face, Allura headed at once for The Three Broomsticks, her bags trailing behind her in clouds of glory. She got more than a few admiring glances as she walked through the town and entered the pub, choosing a table near the front of the room so that her bags could stack themselves neatly in the corner and out of harm's way. An older, but definitely not less beautiful Madam Rosmerta greeted her, obviously without recognition. Smiling softly, Allura ordered a Creamed Ice liqueur and looked about herself as the bar-maid swept away in a jingle of bracelets.
The memories even here were clear; Yvanna and Raquelle and herself sitting in here up to their usual tricks, scaring little Markus Robson half to death up at the Shrieking Shack because he had written nasty things about Raquelle on the boy's bathroom wall. In fact, Allura was so busy daydreaming about her youth that she hadn't seen the person who had spilled their drink as she walked in. A voice sounded next to her, breaking her out of her blissful reverie. "Allura?" asked the voice incredulously. "Allura CHANEL?" Shaking her head slightly in order to bring herself back down to earth, Allura looked up in surprise at the source of the voice and instantly squealed loudly.
Leaping up, she threw herself on top of a girl she recognized - a Ravenclaw from her year. "Cassandra!" The two women were both squealing now, high pitched noises that earned them glares of disapproval from the more sedate patrons inhabiting the pub. "Sit down!" exclaimed Allura. "What are you -doing- here? I've not seen you for positively -years-!" Smiling broadly as Rosmerta brought them both drinks, Allura stirred her Creamed Ice and looked expectantly at Cassandra, who beamed back at her.
"Well. After graduation I went home to mother - I never was sure of what I wanted to do, you know. Mother got quite sick and passed away not long after, leaving me a small fortune. So." she paused for dramatic effect, waving her hands flippantly, "I leased some premises here in Hogsmeade and am now the proprietress of Warts 'n All, Hogsmeade's own beauty salon!" grinning now, Cassandra winked cheekily at Allura. "You'll have to come along and let me play around with that gorgeous hair of yours! Not that you -need- to look any more ravishing."
Allura laughed heartily at the conclusion of Cassandra's story. How fitting for her friend; Cassandra had always been the one who had done everyone's hair for the ball, had given everyone advice on self-tanning potions. A brilliant means to an end, thought Allura. And she certainly had the mind for business. "What about you?" Cassandra asked. "What are you doing with yourself these days? What brings you here to Hogsmeade? Last I heard you were living in Sussex!" Allura grinned. "After I graduated I went to a Muggle University. You know I always liked school," she winked. "I studied teaching and got my degree and have been working for the past 2 years at a Muggle high school. And today I'm on my way to my new job." she paused, not wanting to jinx herself but dying to tell SOMEONE her news. "I'm the new Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts." She sipped her drink daintily, glancing up at her friend, who seemed almost as excited as she was. But not quite. "Ahhh, bravo! You realize of course, that certain other Professors are still on the staff. Sprout, McGonnagle, Snape. All of your old favorites." Cassandra giggled, finishing her diminished bottle of butterbeer. "Oy, is that the time?" she asked, the age-old rhetorical question. "I have to dash, Allura - Mrs. Sheenee is coming in at 2.30! Do stop by for a cuppa!" Smiling warmly, the other woman pressed her friends hand firmly as she stood and then made her way to the door, waving happily as she stepped out of the pub and presumably made her way back to her shop.
Waving and smiling back, Allura felt it hard to suppress her soaring spirits. More patrons had arrived at the Three Broomsticks, which was now doing a roaring lunch-time trade. Leaving a few sickles on the table, Allura stood leaving her drink unfinished. She'd had enough to celebrate, and it wouldn't do to rock up for her new job smelling like a drunkard. Charming her bags once more to follow in the air behind her she stepped out into the busy street, almost being trampled by a stern-looking witch with a tribe of little ones tagging along behind her. "Terribly sorry," she murmured. It was such a beautiful day, and her bags were no trouble. Allura resolved at once to walk to the rest of the way to the Castle.
Tossing her sheet of long blonde hair over her shoulder, she noted with satisfaction Warts 'n All, and grinned to herself. A quaint little brick building, classy yet comfortable. It suited Cassandra perfectly and she made up her mind to pay it regular visits. Even though her friend had returned to her place of business only moments before it was now quite full, another witch had just Apparated outside of the door and let herself in. Allura wondered idly if that was Mrs. Sheenee. Two large pictures flashed above the sign. One picture depicted an old wrinkled hag, covered in warts with matted hair and year's worth of bags under her eyes. The other picture, who simpered and batted her eye-lids at passers by was obviously the same witch after much work done at Warts 'n All; her hair now falling in silky red curls around a smooth face that looked very beautiful and at least 20 years younger. Allura giggled to herself.
Passing the salon, she continued down the street, seeing Zonko's and the Post Office and looking with joy at the both of them. No matter, she could visit the village tomorrow for morning tea and do a bit of shopping, and the letters she was going to write tonight could be sent via school owl. Realizing that time was getting on, Allura quickened her pace and was soon out of Hogsmeade. She rounded a corner in the street that had now trickled into a lane, and magnificent Hogwarts came into view perched on its throne upon the lush green hillside. The glittering lake accompanied it, making for a picturesque view that almost took Allura's breath away. Continuing on, her eager steps soon saw her inside the grounds, passing Hagrid's hut and walking up the gentle slope towards the Castle entrance.
A gentle breeze wounds its way across the lawns up from the lake, ruffling her light robes and twisting its fingers playfully through her hair. Smiling warmly, Allura could see two figures out the front of the Castle as she approached; one of them was incredibly tall and had a vast waist - Hagrid. The other was smaller and thinner, but with white hair and a matching snowy beard that fell venerably to the ground. Professor Dumbledore. "Good afternoon, Allura," he greeted her as she neared, his blue eyes twinkling. "I was just telling Hagrid that one of our former students had agreed to take up teaching here." The big man beamed down as her, happiness written on his weathered face. Hagrid had always enjoyed seeing Allura and her two friends. The times he had caught them out of the Castle at night. Indeed, he'd not seen their equals at mischief-making until young Fred and George Weasley, who were now doing lots of business at their joke shop in Diagon Alley.
"Allo, Allura!" he boomed. "I've not yer since yer graduation. Nice to 'ave yer on the staff - I'm the Care 'o Magical Creatures Profess'er 'ere now!" Allura raised a brow. Hagrid, teaching classes? Now -that- would be interesting. "That's great, Hagrid!" she said, smiling brightly up at him, glancing at the Headmaster. "It's lovely to see you, Sir. I cannot tell you how obliged I was for your letter. Thank you ever so much." Dumbledore dismissed Allura's gratitude with a wave of his hand. "Enough of that. Come now my dear, I will show you to your quarters so that you can get settled before dinner." He smiled at Hagrid, who said a respectful goodbye and moved off in the general direction of his hut. With a softer smile for Allura, Dumbledore made a small, almost imperceptible gesture with his right hand and the two massive doors that served as the main entrance to Hogwarts swung inward. Inside was the Entrance Hall, its gleaming marble floor and matching staircase a feast for Allura's eyes as she took in the School crest hanging above the main landing, and the suits of armor that craned their necks to see the new Professor.
Stepping inside, her pale silky robes billowing about her slender form, Allura felt almost as if she were stepping back in time. Nothing could describe the awe the fabulous entrance of the School stirred in her; so many memories and secrets were held within its stone walls. The essence of her vision was the same, but the sea of younger faces had changed and Allura realized it was going to take quite a long time to remember all of her students. And so began the new chapter in her book of life.
Still caught up in her thoughts, Allura didn't see the dark figure that had swooped out from the dungeon corridor before it was too late. In a collision of black and pale blue entwining robes, Allura was sent crashing to the floor along with her glowering counterpart. Whilst she remained on the floor in a state of shock, he however did not. Leaping to his feet, the tall slim man clad in robes as dark as the night itself turned on her like a viper turning on its prey. "What do you think you're doing standing about with a vapid expression on your face in the middle of a walkway causing mayhem and destruction, Miss Chanel? 20 points from Gryffindor for sheer clumsiness!" he barked. Realizing the stunned looks on the faces of various passing students, not to mention on the face of Professor Dumbledore who he had failed to notice at first glance. An astonished look crept over the face of the most feared man in Hogwarts as he did a double- take, looking from Allura to Dumbledore and back again, a lack of comprehension for once encroaching upon his dark features.
"Ahh, Severus. So nice of you to bump into us like this," Professor Dumbledore said turning his gaze to the Potions Master. "Oh, but where are our manners? Lets us help Miss Chanel up! Are you hurt, my dear? Will you need to visit the Hospital Wing?" Reaching out a rather feeble looking arm, Dumbledore attempted to help Allura to her feet but the man in black was quicker and surprisingly more obliging.
The Wizarding village of Hogsmeade was every bit as sunny as her bedroom had been. The sights, the smells - Honeydukes and Zonko's and. Now she was an adult and could drink legally. With a light grin on her face, Allura headed at once for The Three Broomsticks, her bags trailing behind her in clouds of glory. She got more than a few admiring glances as she walked through the town and entered the pub, choosing a table near the front of the room so that her bags could stack themselves neatly in the corner and out of harm's way. An older, but definitely not less beautiful Madam Rosmerta greeted her, obviously without recognition. Smiling softly, Allura ordered a Creamed Ice liqueur and looked about herself as the bar-maid swept away in a jingle of bracelets.
The memories even here were clear; Yvanna and Raquelle and herself sitting in here up to their usual tricks, scaring little Markus Robson half to death up at the Shrieking Shack because he had written nasty things about Raquelle on the boy's bathroom wall. In fact, Allura was so busy daydreaming about her youth that she hadn't seen the person who had spilled their drink as she walked in. A voice sounded next to her, breaking her out of her blissful reverie. "Allura?" asked the voice incredulously. "Allura CHANEL?" Shaking her head slightly in order to bring herself back down to earth, Allura looked up in surprise at the source of the voice and instantly squealed loudly.
Leaping up, she threw herself on top of a girl she recognized - a Ravenclaw from her year. "Cassandra!" The two women were both squealing now, high pitched noises that earned them glares of disapproval from the more sedate patrons inhabiting the pub. "Sit down!" exclaimed Allura. "What are you -doing- here? I've not seen you for positively -years-!" Smiling broadly as Rosmerta brought them both drinks, Allura stirred her Creamed Ice and looked expectantly at Cassandra, who beamed back at her.
"Well. After graduation I went home to mother - I never was sure of what I wanted to do, you know. Mother got quite sick and passed away not long after, leaving me a small fortune. So." she paused for dramatic effect, waving her hands flippantly, "I leased some premises here in Hogsmeade and am now the proprietress of Warts 'n All, Hogsmeade's own beauty salon!" grinning now, Cassandra winked cheekily at Allura. "You'll have to come along and let me play around with that gorgeous hair of yours! Not that you -need- to look any more ravishing."
Allura laughed heartily at the conclusion of Cassandra's story. How fitting for her friend; Cassandra had always been the one who had done everyone's hair for the ball, had given everyone advice on self-tanning potions. A brilliant means to an end, thought Allura. And she certainly had the mind for business. "What about you?" Cassandra asked. "What are you doing with yourself these days? What brings you here to Hogsmeade? Last I heard you were living in Sussex!" Allura grinned. "After I graduated I went to a Muggle University. You know I always liked school," she winked. "I studied teaching and got my degree and have been working for the past 2 years at a Muggle high school. And today I'm on my way to my new job." she paused, not wanting to jinx herself but dying to tell SOMEONE her news. "I'm the new Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts." She sipped her drink daintily, glancing up at her friend, who seemed almost as excited as she was. But not quite. "Ahhh, bravo! You realize of course, that certain other Professors are still on the staff. Sprout, McGonnagle, Snape. All of your old favorites." Cassandra giggled, finishing her diminished bottle of butterbeer. "Oy, is that the time?" she asked, the age-old rhetorical question. "I have to dash, Allura - Mrs. Sheenee is coming in at 2.30! Do stop by for a cuppa!" Smiling warmly, the other woman pressed her friends hand firmly as she stood and then made her way to the door, waving happily as she stepped out of the pub and presumably made her way back to her shop.
Waving and smiling back, Allura felt it hard to suppress her soaring spirits. More patrons had arrived at the Three Broomsticks, which was now doing a roaring lunch-time trade. Leaving a few sickles on the table, Allura stood leaving her drink unfinished. She'd had enough to celebrate, and it wouldn't do to rock up for her new job smelling like a drunkard. Charming her bags once more to follow in the air behind her she stepped out into the busy street, almost being trampled by a stern-looking witch with a tribe of little ones tagging along behind her. "Terribly sorry," she murmured. It was such a beautiful day, and her bags were no trouble. Allura resolved at once to walk to the rest of the way to the Castle.
Tossing her sheet of long blonde hair over her shoulder, she noted with satisfaction Warts 'n All, and grinned to herself. A quaint little brick building, classy yet comfortable. It suited Cassandra perfectly and she made up her mind to pay it regular visits. Even though her friend had returned to her place of business only moments before it was now quite full, another witch had just Apparated outside of the door and let herself in. Allura wondered idly if that was Mrs. Sheenee. Two large pictures flashed above the sign. One picture depicted an old wrinkled hag, covered in warts with matted hair and year's worth of bags under her eyes. The other picture, who simpered and batted her eye-lids at passers by was obviously the same witch after much work done at Warts 'n All; her hair now falling in silky red curls around a smooth face that looked very beautiful and at least 20 years younger. Allura giggled to herself.
Passing the salon, she continued down the street, seeing Zonko's and the Post Office and looking with joy at the both of them. No matter, she could visit the village tomorrow for morning tea and do a bit of shopping, and the letters she was going to write tonight could be sent via school owl. Realizing that time was getting on, Allura quickened her pace and was soon out of Hogsmeade. She rounded a corner in the street that had now trickled into a lane, and magnificent Hogwarts came into view perched on its throne upon the lush green hillside. The glittering lake accompanied it, making for a picturesque view that almost took Allura's breath away. Continuing on, her eager steps soon saw her inside the grounds, passing Hagrid's hut and walking up the gentle slope towards the Castle entrance.
A gentle breeze wounds its way across the lawns up from the lake, ruffling her light robes and twisting its fingers playfully through her hair. Smiling warmly, Allura could see two figures out the front of the Castle as she approached; one of them was incredibly tall and had a vast waist - Hagrid. The other was smaller and thinner, but with white hair and a matching snowy beard that fell venerably to the ground. Professor Dumbledore. "Good afternoon, Allura," he greeted her as she neared, his blue eyes twinkling. "I was just telling Hagrid that one of our former students had agreed to take up teaching here." The big man beamed down as her, happiness written on his weathered face. Hagrid had always enjoyed seeing Allura and her two friends. The times he had caught them out of the Castle at night. Indeed, he'd not seen their equals at mischief-making until young Fred and George Weasley, who were now doing lots of business at their joke shop in Diagon Alley.
"Allo, Allura!" he boomed. "I've not yer since yer graduation. Nice to 'ave yer on the staff - I'm the Care 'o Magical Creatures Profess'er 'ere now!" Allura raised a brow. Hagrid, teaching classes? Now -that- would be interesting. "That's great, Hagrid!" she said, smiling brightly up at him, glancing at the Headmaster. "It's lovely to see you, Sir. I cannot tell you how obliged I was for your letter. Thank you ever so much." Dumbledore dismissed Allura's gratitude with a wave of his hand. "Enough of that. Come now my dear, I will show you to your quarters so that you can get settled before dinner." He smiled at Hagrid, who said a respectful goodbye and moved off in the general direction of his hut. With a softer smile for Allura, Dumbledore made a small, almost imperceptible gesture with his right hand and the two massive doors that served as the main entrance to Hogwarts swung inward. Inside was the Entrance Hall, its gleaming marble floor and matching staircase a feast for Allura's eyes as she took in the School crest hanging above the main landing, and the suits of armor that craned their necks to see the new Professor.
Stepping inside, her pale silky robes billowing about her slender form, Allura felt almost as if she were stepping back in time. Nothing could describe the awe the fabulous entrance of the School stirred in her; so many memories and secrets were held within its stone walls. The essence of her vision was the same, but the sea of younger faces had changed and Allura realized it was going to take quite a long time to remember all of her students. And so began the new chapter in her book of life.
Still caught up in her thoughts, Allura didn't see the dark figure that had swooped out from the dungeon corridor before it was too late. In a collision of black and pale blue entwining robes, Allura was sent crashing to the floor along with her glowering counterpart. Whilst she remained on the floor in a state of shock, he however did not. Leaping to his feet, the tall slim man clad in robes as dark as the night itself turned on her like a viper turning on its prey. "What do you think you're doing standing about with a vapid expression on your face in the middle of a walkway causing mayhem and destruction, Miss Chanel? 20 points from Gryffindor for sheer clumsiness!" he barked. Realizing the stunned looks on the faces of various passing students, not to mention on the face of Professor Dumbledore who he had failed to notice at first glance. An astonished look crept over the face of the most feared man in Hogwarts as he did a double- take, looking from Allura to Dumbledore and back again, a lack of comprehension for once encroaching upon his dark features.
"Ahh, Severus. So nice of you to bump into us like this," Professor Dumbledore said turning his gaze to the Potions Master. "Oh, but where are our manners? Lets us help Miss Chanel up! Are you hurt, my dear? Will you need to visit the Hospital Wing?" Reaching out a rather feeble looking arm, Dumbledore attempted to help Allura to her feet but the man in black was quicker and surprisingly more obliging.