With a billow of smoke the train pulled up to the platform and the students filed out. Harry looked about for the looming figure of Hagrid, but instead of Hagrid's smiling face, a tall, thin, severe looking blonde witch approached the students. Without a word she motioned to the boats and led them up to the castle.
The great doors of Hogwarts opened and the students were ushered into the great hall. Instead of the usual long tables, there was a single elliptical table in the exact center of the hall. Harry and Ron hurried to grab seats together before Harry peered up at the head table, searching for Snape's sullen form. But to his astonishment, in Snape's chair sat a young, friendly-looking witch with brown ringlets. She was in deep conversation with Professor Flitwick; her eyes glowed as she giggled at the professor's "drole" wit. Harry nudged Ron. "Who's that?" he asked, motioning to the witch with his chin.
"Oi, must be Snape's replacement. She doesn't look too bad."
"Snape's replacement?"
"Yeah, he can't very well show up now can he? He's on that mission."
Realization dawned on Harry. Suddenly, the prospect of summer school looked a little less dreary. "Maybe they found someone good for defense against the dark arts."
The doors opened and the blonde witch from the platform walked in. "Then again, maybe not." Harry gave Ron a sympathetic pat on the back as the watched the witch march up to the head table, give Prof. Sprout a firm handshake, and then sit on the other side of Snape's replacement. The room quieted down as Dumbledore rose from his seat.
"Hello five and a half years!" His eyes twinkled, "it looks like we have some wonderful failures in our midst!" a nervous laugh trickled through the room. "Now, now, just relax. Hogwarts has always prided itself on being a school, not an 'educational facility'. At this summer school session you will be expected to work hard, and learn all you can, but that does not mean we will not be having fun. This is your summer school after all, and those of you who were willing to show up..." Harry looked around the table. There were suspiciously few Slytherins to be found. After all, Malfoy must have failed something. "...will find that our Hogwart's staff has prepared many exciting activities for you. There will be intramural Quidditch for anyone wanting to try their hand at the game, book groups in the Library, two trips to Hogsmead, and even a small ball at the end of the session." A cheer went up at the student table. "So, let's pay attention, take risks, and learn all we can! Welcome to Hogwart's summer school!" He lifted his glass at the cheers and was about to sit down when the blond witch reached over and tugged lightly at Dumbledore's sleeve. "Oh dear yes." He said, smiling at the two unknown professor's. "This summer, we have a substitute potions teacher as Snape is on a.... vacation. Student's please welcome Professor Jade." Harry clapped enthusiastically with the other students as the Professor smiled sweetly and gave a little wave. "And for defense against the dark arts we have Professor Ryan." The witch stood and inclined her head a bit. There was a splattering of applause. "Prof. Ryan has also been kind enough to volunteer to work k with the intramural Quidditch." The students looked around nervously as they clapped. Harry leaned over to Ron.
"I doubt that woman's ever been on a broomstick in her life."
"Yeah, but she looks like she's got one stuck up her.."
"I'm sure you students will make these teachers feel right at home, and in turn, they have much to teach you." Dumbledore smiled and winked at Harry. "Yes much." So let's have a great summer and a great feast!"
Hamburgers and hotdogs appeared in the table, with all the fixings. There was watermelon and berries and some amazing looking pies. Ron dug in, but Harry kept his eyes on Dumbledore, wondering what his mysterious hinting meant this time.
The great doors of Hogwarts opened and the students were ushered into the great hall. Instead of the usual long tables, there was a single elliptical table in the exact center of the hall. Harry and Ron hurried to grab seats together before Harry peered up at the head table, searching for Snape's sullen form. But to his astonishment, in Snape's chair sat a young, friendly-looking witch with brown ringlets. She was in deep conversation with Professor Flitwick; her eyes glowed as she giggled at the professor's "drole" wit. Harry nudged Ron. "Who's that?" he asked, motioning to the witch with his chin.
"Oi, must be Snape's replacement. She doesn't look too bad."
"Snape's replacement?"
"Yeah, he can't very well show up now can he? He's on that mission."
Realization dawned on Harry. Suddenly, the prospect of summer school looked a little less dreary. "Maybe they found someone good for defense against the dark arts."
The doors opened and the blonde witch from the platform walked in. "Then again, maybe not." Harry gave Ron a sympathetic pat on the back as the watched the witch march up to the head table, give Prof. Sprout a firm handshake, and then sit on the other side of Snape's replacement. The room quieted down as Dumbledore rose from his seat.
"Hello five and a half years!" His eyes twinkled, "it looks like we have some wonderful failures in our midst!" a nervous laugh trickled through the room. "Now, now, just relax. Hogwarts has always prided itself on being a school, not an 'educational facility'. At this summer school session you will be expected to work hard, and learn all you can, but that does not mean we will not be having fun. This is your summer school after all, and those of you who were willing to show up..." Harry looked around the table. There were suspiciously few Slytherins to be found. After all, Malfoy must have failed something. "...will find that our Hogwart's staff has prepared many exciting activities for you. There will be intramural Quidditch for anyone wanting to try their hand at the game, book groups in the Library, two trips to Hogsmead, and even a small ball at the end of the session." A cheer went up at the student table. "So, let's pay attention, take risks, and learn all we can! Welcome to Hogwart's summer school!" He lifted his glass at the cheers and was about to sit down when the blond witch reached over and tugged lightly at Dumbledore's sleeve. "Oh dear yes." He said, smiling at the two unknown professor's. "This summer, we have a substitute potions teacher as Snape is on a.... vacation. Student's please welcome Professor Jade." Harry clapped enthusiastically with the other students as the Professor smiled sweetly and gave a little wave. "And for defense against the dark arts we have Professor Ryan." The witch stood and inclined her head a bit. There was a splattering of applause. "Prof. Ryan has also been kind enough to volunteer to work k with the intramural Quidditch." The students looked around nervously as they clapped. Harry leaned over to Ron.
"I doubt that woman's ever been on a broomstick in her life."
"Yeah, but she looks like she's got one stuck up her.."
"I'm sure you students will make these teachers feel right at home, and in turn, they have much to teach you." Dumbledore smiled and winked at Harry. "Yes much." So let's have a great summer and a great feast!"
Hamburgers and hotdogs appeared in the table, with all the fixings. There was watermelon and berries and some amazing looking pies. Ron dug in, but Harry kept his eyes on Dumbledore, wondering what his mysterious hinting meant this time.