Chapter Ten - Revelations, Reformations and a fair bit of controversy.
Disclaimer:- Am I blonde? NO. Am I rich? NO. Am I famous? NO. Am I called Joanne? NO. So do I own this????
A/N: This could be predictable or it could be a total surprise. I don't know, I'm only the writer, personally I don't have a clue how this is going to end up! Whatever happens please r/r!
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Dumbledore rose to his feet upon the arrival of the group in his office. He smiled kindly at them and patiently waited whilst they recovered from their journey. Dumbledore then turned to them and said;
"Welcome. I believe the train has just arrived at the station so perhaps we should make our way downstairs. Mr Potter, Miss Black, if you want to leave your things here I'll see to it that some house-elves take it to your rooms." He then turned to the adults, "You're staying for dinner I trust?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore and noticed a glint in his eye. 'How stupid can you get?! He thought, 'Sirius can't stay and have a meal here! Not with the whole school around! He'd be in azkaban before you could say innocent!' It was for this exact reason that Harry was so amazed when Sirius nodded his agreement to Dumbledore. The look of pure fear on Caz's face did not go unnoticed by Harry and he couldn't help but wonder if he bore the same expression. Dumbledore then continued to speak;
"I trust you've all taken your necklaces off? Miss Black you'll be sorted prior to the first years. No need to look so worried, you'll be just fine."
They reached the great hall and went in and sat down. Sirius, Remus, Jen and Abbi followed Dumbledore to the staff table, joining the members of staff who were already present. Harry immediately noticed that Trelawney was nowhere to be seen however his rejoicing was short lived when he remembered that she rarely came down to meals, preferring to eat in solitude up in her tower.
Caz perched next to Harry at the Gryfindor table waiting for the first people to arrive. As soon as the door opened Caz rose and went to stand at the back of the hall waiting for McGonagall to arrive with the first years.
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As the Hogwarts express drew into Hogsmeade station Ron and Hermione were worried. They'd felt sure Harry would be waiting for them on the train however they'd spent the entire journey scouring the express for any sign that Harry was there and the search had been inconclusive. Harry was nowhere to be found. They climbed off the train, each with a million what ifs going through their heads. Even though Dumbledore himself had warned them that Harry was out of contact it still worried them that something may have happened to him. In silence they clambered into a carriage with Neville and Ginny and travelled up to the school. They entered the great hall where upon they saw..
"Harry!" They chorused. Each face broke into a grin and they dashed to where Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table. Up at the staff table Sirius leaned over and whispered something in Remus' ear. Remus laughed.
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Once everyone was seated Dumbledore stood to introduce the sorting by some miraculous cause of fortune no one had yet noticed the four guests up at the staff table. Dumbledore cleared his throat and addressed the students;
"Before we start the sorting ceremony I have a special announcement. We have a new fifth year student joining us this year. She will be sorted prior to the first years and I trust that her class mates will make her feel welcome."
When Dumbledore had finished speaking the sorting hat began to sing;
Welcome all who hope to learn About magic spells and magic ferns Where you belong is up to me So put me on and we'll soon see.
Do you belong in Gryffindor They're all brave, are you? Or maybe in dear old Hufflepuff
where they're loyal through and through?
Or should you be in Ravenclaw Is studying your thing? Or finally there's Slytherin For the sly and for the cunning?
So slip me on your noggin And let me peak inside And I shall tell you where you shall find Your future from far and wide.
McGonagall stood with the list of new students and said;
"Black, Catherine"
Mumbles broke out amongst the students as they all contemplated her sir name. Caz looked at Harry nervously then looked up to the staff table and Jen, Remus, Sirius and Abbi. She walked towards the stool and sat down with the hat on her head, listening to its musings;
'Hmmmmmmm.. A desire to do well, yes Ravenclaw would serve you well, but no. A lot of loyalty too, especially towards your uncle. Still, no. Ah, but bravery, yes, I know just where to put you,
"GRYFFINDOR"
Caz breathed a sigh of relief as she jumped up and ran over to the Gryffindor table where Harry had already made a space for her. She sat next to him, shot a huge smile at the four at the staff table who were grinning like Cheshire cats and sat contentedly through the rest of the sorting.
Once that was over Dumbledore rose to give out the notices. Ron leaned over to Harry and whispered;
"I wonder who we'll get for Defence against the dark arts this year." Then as an afterthought he added, "And I wonder how long they'll stay." Harry laughed and diverted his attention back to Dumbledore;
"As always pupils should note that the forbidden forest is just that. Strictly forbidden." He looked pointedly at Ron and Harry who both blushed deep crimson, "Mr Filch has posted a list of items not to be used on school grounds in each common room. I suggest you read them. And I must remind you that no magic is to be done in the corridors between lessons." Harry couldn't help noticing the look on Sirius' face when Dumbledore gave the final notice. Somewhere between complete horror and absolute mischief, from the giggles coming from Caz she had noticed it too.
Dumbledore continued his speech; "Some of you may have noticed four new faces at the staff table." There were murmurs around the hall as people began to notice however still there was no outcry at Sirius' presence. "It falls to me to announce" Continued Dumbledore, "that there have been some changes in your schedules and in the teaching staff this year. Due to recent events we have deemed it necessary for you all to take compulsory self defence lessons this year. These shall be taught in partnership with defence against the dark arts although each subject shall have different professors, classrooms and time table slots."
A low hum of whispering broke out among the students in the great hall. A new class, everyone was excited and they were all wondering who the new professors would be. Still Harry was amazed that no one paid an ounce of attention to Sirius' presence. Dumbledore clapped his hands,
"Students, I know you are all wondering who will be teaching these subjects this year. I am pleased to announce four additions to the teaching staff this year, Professors Lupin, Black, Figg and Black."
Dumbledore stood in silence waiting to see what reaction he would get to dropping this bombshell. Specifically he was looking at two students sat at the Gryffindor table. They did not disappoint him;
"WHAT?!?!" Caz and Harry both yelled at the same time, "How did you..? When did you...? Why didn't you tell us?!"
Silence was kept in the great hall and all eyes were on them. Suddenly a thought came to Harry,
"Sirius, you can't teach here, you're an escaped convict!" Dumbledore smiled and laughed inwardly. He had wondered how long it would take for that to come up. It was Malfoy who eventually gave Harry a reply to his comment;
"Don't you read Potter?! He was cleared of all charges two weeks ago! Sirius looked at Harry, a huge grin plastered across his face. Not even Malfoy could spoil this moment.
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The next morning dawned with a grey sky full of dreary black storm clouds,
"Perfect day to start lessons" remarked Ron. This earned him a dirty look from Hermione however Harry noticed that for once they did not trade insults. Caz spoke up,
"I wonder what lessons we'll have today. This is going to be so strange, I'm not used to having a routine. Mum just used to teach me what she felt like, when she felt like it."
"Really?" Asked Hermione, "How did you cope with that? I'd never be able to cope without a routine."
Harry heard Ron mumble something under his breath about routines and homework but didn't get a chance to comment as at that moment hundreds of owls swooped in delivering post and, of course, timetables for the year. Hermione was quick and grabbed her timetable with lightening speed reflexes. Caz was surprised to see her eagerness and rose her eyebrows at Harry who laughed. Harry and Caz had, both received letters, surprising both of them equally. While they tore into them Hermione examined her timetable in depth.
"I think you're all going to like Tuesdays!" She exclaimed. Upon hearing her Ron grabbed his timetable to see what could have her so excited, Harry and Caz, on the other hand, were more absorbed in other things. Each of them sat staring at the letters in their hands. Hermione waved a hand in front of their eyes. But neither moved, just sat there in a trance like state for what seemed like for ever. Eventually Caz turned to Harry and said;
"Do you think we'd better go and see them then?" Harry nodded his head and battled a will to speak for a few seconds, opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish. Eventually he lost the battle and without another word he and Caz got up and left the great hall. Ron and Hermione were left none the wiser as to why.
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A/N:- so there we go. Another chapter up. I'm not sure it makes sense. I wrote it in Cambridge during the sixth form law conference. I had very little sleep that week so if it's a load of gibberish don't blame me. Thanx to Aurelia for the sorting hat song. I modified it a little - hope you don't mind. Next chapter hopefully by the end of next week. In it I'll tie up a few loose ends before I launch into the next phase of the story. Ends such as 'what happened with Sirius' and 'what's going on with Tim' if there's anything else you want to know about then let me know and if it's relevant I'll put it in. The problem is things that make sense to me make no sense to anyone else so just let me know if there's something you don't get.
Disclaimer:- Am I blonde? NO. Am I rich? NO. Am I famous? NO. Am I called Joanne? NO. So do I own this????
A/N: This could be predictable or it could be a total surprise. I don't know, I'm only the writer, personally I don't have a clue how this is going to end up! Whatever happens please r/r!
**************************
Dumbledore rose to his feet upon the arrival of the group in his office. He smiled kindly at them and patiently waited whilst they recovered from their journey. Dumbledore then turned to them and said;
"Welcome. I believe the train has just arrived at the station so perhaps we should make our way downstairs. Mr Potter, Miss Black, if you want to leave your things here I'll see to it that some house-elves take it to your rooms." He then turned to the adults, "You're staying for dinner I trust?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore and noticed a glint in his eye. 'How stupid can you get?! He thought, 'Sirius can't stay and have a meal here! Not with the whole school around! He'd be in azkaban before you could say innocent!' It was for this exact reason that Harry was so amazed when Sirius nodded his agreement to Dumbledore. The look of pure fear on Caz's face did not go unnoticed by Harry and he couldn't help but wonder if he bore the same expression. Dumbledore then continued to speak;
"I trust you've all taken your necklaces off? Miss Black you'll be sorted prior to the first years. No need to look so worried, you'll be just fine."
They reached the great hall and went in and sat down. Sirius, Remus, Jen and Abbi followed Dumbledore to the staff table, joining the members of staff who were already present. Harry immediately noticed that Trelawney was nowhere to be seen however his rejoicing was short lived when he remembered that she rarely came down to meals, preferring to eat in solitude up in her tower.
Caz perched next to Harry at the Gryfindor table waiting for the first people to arrive. As soon as the door opened Caz rose and went to stand at the back of the hall waiting for McGonagall to arrive with the first years.
****************************************
As the Hogwarts express drew into Hogsmeade station Ron and Hermione were worried. They'd felt sure Harry would be waiting for them on the train however they'd spent the entire journey scouring the express for any sign that Harry was there and the search had been inconclusive. Harry was nowhere to be found. They climbed off the train, each with a million what ifs going through their heads. Even though Dumbledore himself had warned them that Harry was out of contact it still worried them that something may have happened to him. In silence they clambered into a carriage with Neville and Ginny and travelled up to the school. They entered the great hall where upon they saw..
"Harry!" They chorused. Each face broke into a grin and they dashed to where Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table. Up at the staff table Sirius leaned over and whispered something in Remus' ear. Remus laughed.
****************************************
Once everyone was seated Dumbledore stood to introduce the sorting by some miraculous cause of fortune no one had yet noticed the four guests up at the staff table. Dumbledore cleared his throat and addressed the students;
"Before we start the sorting ceremony I have a special announcement. We have a new fifth year student joining us this year. She will be sorted prior to the first years and I trust that her class mates will make her feel welcome."
When Dumbledore had finished speaking the sorting hat began to sing;
Welcome all who hope to learn About magic spells and magic ferns Where you belong is up to me So put me on and we'll soon see.
Do you belong in Gryffindor They're all brave, are you? Or maybe in dear old Hufflepuff
where they're loyal through and through?
Or should you be in Ravenclaw Is studying your thing? Or finally there's Slytherin For the sly and for the cunning?
So slip me on your noggin And let me peak inside And I shall tell you where you shall find Your future from far and wide.
McGonagall stood with the list of new students and said;
"Black, Catherine"
Mumbles broke out amongst the students as they all contemplated her sir name. Caz looked at Harry nervously then looked up to the staff table and Jen, Remus, Sirius and Abbi. She walked towards the stool and sat down with the hat on her head, listening to its musings;
'Hmmmmmmm.. A desire to do well, yes Ravenclaw would serve you well, but no. A lot of loyalty too, especially towards your uncle. Still, no. Ah, but bravery, yes, I know just where to put you,
"GRYFFINDOR"
Caz breathed a sigh of relief as she jumped up and ran over to the Gryffindor table where Harry had already made a space for her. She sat next to him, shot a huge smile at the four at the staff table who were grinning like Cheshire cats and sat contentedly through the rest of the sorting.
Once that was over Dumbledore rose to give out the notices. Ron leaned over to Harry and whispered;
"I wonder who we'll get for Defence against the dark arts this year." Then as an afterthought he added, "And I wonder how long they'll stay." Harry laughed and diverted his attention back to Dumbledore;
"As always pupils should note that the forbidden forest is just that. Strictly forbidden." He looked pointedly at Ron and Harry who both blushed deep crimson, "Mr Filch has posted a list of items not to be used on school grounds in each common room. I suggest you read them. And I must remind you that no magic is to be done in the corridors between lessons." Harry couldn't help noticing the look on Sirius' face when Dumbledore gave the final notice. Somewhere between complete horror and absolute mischief, from the giggles coming from Caz she had noticed it too.
Dumbledore continued his speech; "Some of you may have noticed four new faces at the staff table." There were murmurs around the hall as people began to notice however still there was no outcry at Sirius' presence. "It falls to me to announce" Continued Dumbledore, "that there have been some changes in your schedules and in the teaching staff this year. Due to recent events we have deemed it necessary for you all to take compulsory self defence lessons this year. These shall be taught in partnership with defence against the dark arts although each subject shall have different professors, classrooms and time table slots."
A low hum of whispering broke out among the students in the great hall. A new class, everyone was excited and they were all wondering who the new professors would be. Still Harry was amazed that no one paid an ounce of attention to Sirius' presence. Dumbledore clapped his hands,
"Students, I know you are all wondering who will be teaching these subjects this year. I am pleased to announce four additions to the teaching staff this year, Professors Lupin, Black, Figg and Black."
Dumbledore stood in silence waiting to see what reaction he would get to dropping this bombshell. Specifically he was looking at two students sat at the Gryffindor table. They did not disappoint him;
"WHAT?!?!" Caz and Harry both yelled at the same time, "How did you..? When did you...? Why didn't you tell us?!"
Silence was kept in the great hall and all eyes were on them. Suddenly a thought came to Harry,
"Sirius, you can't teach here, you're an escaped convict!" Dumbledore smiled and laughed inwardly. He had wondered how long it would take for that to come up. It was Malfoy who eventually gave Harry a reply to his comment;
"Don't you read Potter?! He was cleared of all charges two weeks ago! Sirius looked at Harry, a huge grin plastered across his face. Not even Malfoy could spoil this moment.
***************************************
The next morning dawned with a grey sky full of dreary black storm clouds,
"Perfect day to start lessons" remarked Ron. This earned him a dirty look from Hermione however Harry noticed that for once they did not trade insults. Caz spoke up,
"I wonder what lessons we'll have today. This is going to be so strange, I'm not used to having a routine. Mum just used to teach me what she felt like, when she felt like it."
"Really?" Asked Hermione, "How did you cope with that? I'd never be able to cope without a routine."
Harry heard Ron mumble something under his breath about routines and homework but didn't get a chance to comment as at that moment hundreds of owls swooped in delivering post and, of course, timetables for the year. Hermione was quick and grabbed her timetable with lightening speed reflexes. Caz was surprised to see her eagerness and rose her eyebrows at Harry who laughed. Harry and Caz had, both received letters, surprising both of them equally. While they tore into them Hermione examined her timetable in depth.
"I think you're all going to like Tuesdays!" She exclaimed. Upon hearing her Ron grabbed his timetable to see what could have her so excited, Harry and Caz, on the other hand, were more absorbed in other things. Each of them sat staring at the letters in their hands. Hermione waved a hand in front of their eyes. But neither moved, just sat there in a trance like state for what seemed like for ever. Eventually Caz turned to Harry and said;
"Do you think we'd better go and see them then?" Harry nodded his head and battled a will to speak for a few seconds, opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish. Eventually he lost the battle and without another word he and Caz got up and left the great hall. Ron and Hermione were left none the wiser as to why.
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A/N:- so there we go. Another chapter up. I'm not sure it makes sense. I wrote it in Cambridge during the sixth form law conference. I had very little sleep that week so if it's a load of gibberish don't blame me. Thanx to Aurelia for the sorting hat song. I modified it a little - hope you don't mind. Next chapter hopefully by the end of next week. In it I'll tie up a few loose ends before I launch into the next phase of the story. Ends such as 'what happened with Sirius' and 'what's going on with Tim' if there's anything else you want to know about then let me know and if it's relevant I'll put it in. The problem is things that make sense to me make no sense to anyone else so just let me know if there's something you don't get.
