Same Disclaimer
Ch. 15 Back to Normal
The fist day of school found Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny waiting at Hogsmeade Station for the rest of their school mates. When they gathered in the Great Hall for the sorting and opening feast they noticed that there were two new additions to the Professor's table. Snape, being away on 'business' had left his position as Potions master to a former student and protégé named Flavius Willson. Sirius was now working in Professor McGonagall's place.
"I would like to welcome you back to school. Now that your brains are suitable empty we will refill them this year! I have some announcements to make. The Forbidden Forrest remains, of course, forbidden. Secondly, Cedric Diggory, whom many of you remember was killed when Lord Voldermort returned to his body last spring. Harry Potter was involved, but contrary to dark magic gossip, was not his killer. Anybody who says differently will be expelled. There is a new statue of Cedric in the entry way. It will sit there for the rest of the year then we will vote on where to place it. I would finally like to introduce you to the new professors. First, we have the honor of Professor Moody, the real one this time, for Defense Against the Dark Arts." Moody stood up and waved at the students while his magical eye searched the crowd in its never ending campaign of vigilance. "Secondly, I would like to introduce you to Flavius Williams who has graciously come from his lucrative potions business to teach for the year." Flavius waved at the students. "Finally, it brings me great joy in introducing you all to our new transfiguration teacher, Sirius Black. I would like to state emphatically now that he did not commit the murders for which he was accused. You do not need to fear him." Sirius stood up and waved as the shocked school looked on. "Lastly I would like to say two words: oddment and fustigation. Thank you for listening, have a good year."
Harry and Hermione led the way to the Gryffindor common room so the students could learn the password.
"The password this year is Phoenix Feather" said Harry. "I would advise you all to remember that because you cannot get into the dormitory unless you have the password. Furthermore, I warn you against all Slytherins. They aren't all evil, but the chance that some are is enough to warn you from associating with them."
Professor Williams was like a breath of fresh air in the dungeons the next day. In fact, he had conjured windows from the damp dungeons and there was actually fresh air circulating.
"Welcome back to school class. My name is, as you know, Flavius Williams. I cannot stand the thought of you guys calling me 'Professor Williams,' so you will call me Flavius. I do not believe in the point system. You will be rewarded for correct answers and work and will do detention with me if I feel you need it. You are caught up for the curriculum that Professor Snape left, but I think we will be taking a different turn. You may note that your book is not a book of potions, but a book of theory. You will read and memorize this book front to back by Christmas holidays. We will be making our potions from scratch. This will give you a good grasp of how potions really work. It is all well and good to be able to follow the directions, but you may not always have a book and the book may not always have what you want to make. Extra credit will be given for potions made from scratch that have not been invented. I will expect careful notation of ingredients, amounts, order, heating or cooling, and effect. For now, we will open the book to page 15 and start reading and discussing the use of Able Root."
Ron was the last one out of the class and was excitedly talking to Hermione about their new teacher. "I can't believe this. Its like we've died and gone to heaven."
"I know darling. I can't wait to start memorizing this and making my own potions."
Harry had a different idea and had found Ginny. "You want to meet me in the Prefects bathroom tonight around 9?"
"Wouldn't want to miss it, are we skinny dipping then?" she asked impishly.
"You'll just have to find out."
Transfiguration was better too. It wasn't that they didn't like Professor McGonagall, but Sirius was a great deal more fun, which helped them learn more.
"Its nice to meet you. I am also your head of house for the Gryffindors. Let me begin by saying that I am incredibly bad at the Avada Kadarva curse and couldn't kill a bee let alone over 20 muggles. With that said, I am fairly good at transfiguration. I once transfigured all the toilets in the Slytherin dormitory into gnomes. Funniest thing I ever did here as a student. You should have heard the shrieks from the girl's showers. I must admit that gnomes are little perverts and peepers too. Maybe not the nicest thing to do, but they were asking for it. Some of you know Fred and George Weasley. In fact, Ron, their brother, sits in this class with us. Those two are amateurs compared to what we used to do. Harry's dad, Remus Lupin who you all know, and I ruled this school. Now then, as I see my godson in the front row with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley I will assume this is the 5th year class. If you aren't in the 5th year then I suggest you leave now. Today we will be transfiguring each other. It is the first step to being able to transfigure yourself. Open your books and would some one other than Hermione tell me the first step?"
Class passed quickly with Sirius giving countless examples of times he had broken rules at Hogwarts. From what Harry could tell, Sirius was worse than either of the Weasley twins.