A/N: Hey everyone! I'm leaving all of my talkings on chapter 5, as I'm releasing this and 5 at the same time. Aren't I a nice person?
Chapter 4: The Trouble with an Unexpected Letter
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"Now that we have all stuffed ourselves with that wonderful feast, we have a few announcements to add to the first one." -Several people pointed at Harry-" As you all know, magic is not permitted for use in the halls and the full list of items that can be confiscated is posted on Mr Filch's office door.
The staff and I would now like to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, someone you may all know, Professor Remus Lupin!"
At this Harry turned to the door opening at the end of the Hall and watched as Lupin walked up to the staff table and sat down next to Harry. In his fuming, he hadn't even noticed it was empty. That was behind him now as he beamed at Lupin, happier than he had been all day.
"However,"continued Dumbledore," I regret to inform you that Professor Flitwick has died at the ripe age of 121. While I know it is a great loss, we still must welcome our new Charms Professor. Professor, will you step in?"
For the second time that night, Harry turned to the doors of the Great Hall just in time to see a young man in bright purple and torquise robes come bounding into the hall. His white- blonde hair and gold eyes shone in the candlelit hall and he made quite a scene before reaching the staff table, performing a series of acrobatic stunts until calmly walking down and sitting in the seat next to Remus, who was slowly massaging his temples and murmuring "Wide open places, wide open places..."
"Yes, yes, wonderful Professor! Yes, students"-most were staring in shock at the new Professor who all waved at them and winked at several others-"this is our new Charms Professor, Professor Chaos Achilles Lantica or Professor Cal as he enjoys being called."At this the new professor winked and blew a kiss to the entire hall, causing several reactions ranging from flattered to hideously disgusted, Hermione being the former and Ron and Lupin being the latter. Harry himself settled in the middle and chuckled. Professor Dumbledore's mouth twitched in merriment before continuing.
"Well, now that that is out of the way, bedtime! We must have you all on a full night's sleep before the first day of classes! Off you go!"
"Well, that was strange," muttered Ron. "Lupin I'm happy with, but the new Professor I'm worried about. I mean look!" He pointed at something and Harry and Hermione, following his gaze, gaped. Remus was walking out of the hall, furiously blushing as Professor Cal hung on his arm talking about all sorts of inappropriate things, leaving many students laughing and blushing.
"Poor Lupin, he always gets stuck with something, doesn't he?" said a sympathetic Hermione.
Harry didn't say anything as they ascended the levels to Gryffindor Tower, his progress only hampered a second at the Fat Lady before Hermione gave her the password ("Two-faced"). Harry went up the stairs to the dormitory for sixth year boys, opened his trunk, pulled on a pair of new black and green silk boxers, and went to bed.
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"PLEASE STOP! I PROMISE I WON'T TALK AGAIN! PPlease..."
"Harry! Harry, wake up!"
Harry found himself being shaken awake roughly by Ron, but he didn't see Ron; he saw his Uncle shaking him, hurting him...
"Stop, stop please..........." Harry squirmed out of Ron's hold and sunk onto the bed, curling himself into a tight ball, his eyes watching Ron, pupils contracted in fear.
"Harry, it's me Ron, don't worry, it's just me and the other guys. We won't hurt you..." By this point Ron gently reached out a hand and touched Harry's forehead, causing Harry to flinch. Ron kept the hand there saying soothing things until Harry calmed down. When he seemed to come out of it, he looked shamefully around at everyone who was staring at him fearfully. He looked down, extremely embarassed for breaking down in front of everyone.
"I'll.. I'll be in the common room reading, okay Ron? I'm fine, I'm just not tired; besides, it's four. I'm usually up by now. I can't believe I slept in." Harry then grabbed his Transfiguration book and went down to the empty room and sat in front of the fireplace, not seeing the look of concern on everyone's faces.
When Harry came up to the dormitory again at 7:00 to get dressed, there was an awkward silence between everyone. Harry didn't seem to notice though as he was lost in his own thoughts as he, Ron, and Hermione walked down to breakfast.
Looking up at the staff table upon entering, the trio saw that Lupin had sat as far away from Cal as possible, and Cal was now making googly eyes at the murderous-looking Snape sitting next to him. Apparently the glare that worked so well against the students had no effect whatsoever on this new teacher.
"Main, is that guy flirty," Harry said, sitting down next to Hermione, eyes averted from Ron by the swoosh of the mail being carried in by all the owls. This caused a deep pang in his heart thinking about his always faithful and now defeated Hedwig. He quickly focused on what everyone else in the Great Hall was focused on, however. A large black raven with a long neck and burning red eyes swept in and landed in front of an astonished Harry. Looking at it closer, Harry really thought it looked more like a black phoenix than anything. Harry took the envelope out of its mouth cautiously before it fluttered up and settled on his shoulder. With everyone watching, he silently read the letter, brow furrowed, before handing it to Ron and Hermione, who read it and paled.
Dear Harry,
While we might not have always been on the best of terms, the story that appeared in the Prophet about you yesterday greatly affected me. I myself was abused as a small child (not as bad as you were, mind you) which is perhaps why my ambition to prove myself was my greatest asset.
This bird is your belated birthday present from me, since the story also said your owl was killed. The raven's name is Black Ruby, a bit flashy perhaps, but it fits him. He will always be faithful to you.
Feel free to write me whenever you wish. Black Ruby will know where to find me, as I find you extremely intriguing as of late.
I will pull this letter to a close by letting you know something: Muggles have caused more wars than all of the magical creatures and wizards combined. They are a race doomed to failure, and deserve to become extinct. Maybe you agree with me after this summer, maybe not.
I feel I have grown sentimental because of you, you foolish child.
Highest personal regards,
Lord Voldemort
"Oh my God..." murmured Ron, looking at the crimson-eyed bird who was now being fed ham by Harry.
"I can't believe it, 'deserve to become extinct'!" said an angry Hermione, handing the note back to Harry, who folded it carefully and put it in his bag."My parents are Muggles! You don't think they all deserve to die, do you, Harry?"
Harry never responded, as Black Ruby was now nipping at his hair playfully. They never noticed the entire staff watching them carefully.
"So, Harry," started Ron after Professor McGonagall handed out schedules,"what are you taking this year?"
"Let's see," said Harry, looking carefully at the schedule. "N.E.W.T. Charms, N.E.W.T. Defence Against the Dark Arts, N.E.W.T. Transfiguration, N.E.W.T. Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, and a new class called Healing Magic and Potions. Hmm...It says it makes up for a Potions class. I've never heard of this class, though. Have you, Hermione?"
"No, but it looks like we all have it first. Shall we go then?"
"Let's."
Chapter 4: The Trouble with an Unexpected Letter
--------------------------------
"Now that we have all stuffed ourselves with that wonderful feast, we have a few announcements to add to the first one." -Several people pointed at Harry-" As you all know, magic is not permitted for use in the halls and the full list of items that can be confiscated is posted on Mr Filch's office door.
The staff and I would now like to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, someone you may all know, Professor Remus Lupin!"
At this Harry turned to the door opening at the end of the Hall and watched as Lupin walked up to the staff table and sat down next to Harry. In his fuming, he hadn't even noticed it was empty. That was behind him now as he beamed at Lupin, happier than he had been all day.
"However,"continued Dumbledore," I regret to inform you that Professor Flitwick has died at the ripe age of 121. While I know it is a great loss, we still must welcome our new Charms Professor. Professor, will you step in?"
For the second time that night, Harry turned to the doors of the Great Hall just in time to see a young man in bright purple and torquise robes come bounding into the hall. His white- blonde hair and gold eyes shone in the candlelit hall and he made quite a scene before reaching the staff table, performing a series of acrobatic stunts until calmly walking down and sitting in the seat next to Remus, who was slowly massaging his temples and murmuring "Wide open places, wide open places..."
"Yes, yes, wonderful Professor! Yes, students"-most were staring in shock at the new Professor who all waved at them and winked at several others-"this is our new Charms Professor, Professor Chaos Achilles Lantica or Professor Cal as he enjoys being called."At this the new professor winked and blew a kiss to the entire hall, causing several reactions ranging from flattered to hideously disgusted, Hermione being the former and Ron and Lupin being the latter. Harry himself settled in the middle and chuckled. Professor Dumbledore's mouth twitched in merriment before continuing.
"Well, now that that is out of the way, bedtime! We must have you all on a full night's sleep before the first day of classes! Off you go!"
"Well, that was strange," muttered Ron. "Lupin I'm happy with, but the new Professor I'm worried about. I mean look!" He pointed at something and Harry and Hermione, following his gaze, gaped. Remus was walking out of the hall, furiously blushing as Professor Cal hung on his arm talking about all sorts of inappropriate things, leaving many students laughing and blushing.
"Poor Lupin, he always gets stuck with something, doesn't he?" said a sympathetic Hermione.
Harry didn't say anything as they ascended the levels to Gryffindor Tower, his progress only hampered a second at the Fat Lady before Hermione gave her the password ("Two-faced"). Harry went up the stairs to the dormitory for sixth year boys, opened his trunk, pulled on a pair of new black and green silk boxers, and went to bed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"PLEASE STOP! I PROMISE I WON'T TALK AGAIN! PPlease..."
"Harry! Harry, wake up!"
Harry found himself being shaken awake roughly by Ron, but he didn't see Ron; he saw his Uncle shaking him, hurting him...
"Stop, stop please..........." Harry squirmed out of Ron's hold and sunk onto the bed, curling himself into a tight ball, his eyes watching Ron, pupils contracted in fear.
"Harry, it's me Ron, don't worry, it's just me and the other guys. We won't hurt you..." By this point Ron gently reached out a hand and touched Harry's forehead, causing Harry to flinch. Ron kept the hand there saying soothing things until Harry calmed down. When he seemed to come out of it, he looked shamefully around at everyone who was staring at him fearfully. He looked down, extremely embarassed for breaking down in front of everyone.
"I'll.. I'll be in the common room reading, okay Ron? I'm fine, I'm just not tired; besides, it's four. I'm usually up by now. I can't believe I slept in." Harry then grabbed his Transfiguration book and went down to the empty room and sat in front of the fireplace, not seeing the look of concern on everyone's faces.
When Harry came up to the dormitory again at 7:00 to get dressed, there was an awkward silence between everyone. Harry didn't seem to notice though as he was lost in his own thoughts as he, Ron, and Hermione walked down to breakfast.
Looking up at the staff table upon entering, the trio saw that Lupin had sat as far away from Cal as possible, and Cal was now making googly eyes at the murderous-looking Snape sitting next to him. Apparently the glare that worked so well against the students had no effect whatsoever on this new teacher.
"Main, is that guy flirty," Harry said, sitting down next to Hermione, eyes averted from Ron by the swoosh of the mail being carried in by all the owls. This caused a deep pang in his heart thinking about his always faithful and now defeated Hedwig. He quickly focused on what everyone else in the Great Hall was focused on, however. A large black raven with a long neck and burning red eyes swept in and landed in front of an astonished Harry. Looking at it closer, Harry really thought it looked more like a black phoenix than anything. Harry took the envelope out of its mouth cautiously before it fluttered up and settled on his shoulder. With everyone watching, he silently read the letter, brow furrowed, before handing it to Ron and Hermione, who read it and paled.
Dear Harry,
While we might not have always been on the best of terms, the story that appeared in the Prophet about you yesterday greatly affected me. I myself was abused as a small child (not as bad as you were, mind you) which is perhaps why my ambition to prove myself was my greatest asset.
This bird is your belated birthday present from me, since the story also said your owl was killed. The raven's name is Black Ruby, a bit flashy perhaps, but it fits him. He will always be faithful to you.
Feel free to write me whenever you wish. Black Ruby will know where to find me, as I find you extremely intriguing as of late.
I will pull this letter to a close by letting you know something: Muggles have caused more wars than all of the magical creatures and wizards combined. They are a race doomed to failure, and deserve to become extinct. Maybe you agree with me after this summer, maybe not.
I feel I have grown sentimental because of you, you foolish child.
Highest personal regards,
Lord Voldemort
"Oh my God..." murmured Ron, looking at the crimson-eyed bird who was now being fed ham by Harry.
"I can't believe it, 'deserve to become extinct'!" said an angry Hermione, handing the note back to Harry, who folded it carefully and put it in his bag."My parents are Muggles! You don't think they all deserve to die, do you, Harry?"
Harry never responded, as Black Ruby was now nipping at his hair playfully. They never noticed the entire staff watching them carefully.
"So, Harry," started Ron after Professor McGonagall handed out schedules,"what are you taking this year?"
"Let's see," said Harry, looking carefully at the schedule. "N.E.W.T. Charms, N.E.W.T. Defence Against the Dark Arts, N.E.W.T. Transfiguration, N.E.W.T. Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, and a new class called Healing Magic and Potions. Hmm...It says it makes up for a Potions class. I've never heard of this class, though. Have you, Hermione?"
"No, but it looks like we all have it first. Shall we go then?"
"Let's."