Fear of the Elements
By: ElvenGreen
Disclaimer:
ElvenGreen: I do not own Harry Potter or ---
J.K.R.: Damn right, you don't.
ElvenGreen: OR any of the characters therein.
J.K.R.: Yep. All mine. Every last one of them. *cackles madly*
ElvenGreen: but not Katya, or Dear Alan Rickman
J.K.R.: No, thank God.
ElvenGreen: Hey! Katya is a good character!
J.KR.: I wasn't talking about Katya.
ElvenGreen: Meanie.
Disclaimer 2: I don't own JKR either. And no, she never said that, nor do I pretend she did. Nuff Said.
Author's Note: This yet another rewrite of Fear of the Elements. I hope I will keep this one this time. Anyway. Read and Review. Prologue written while listening to Evanescence. Not that that makes any difference.
Prologue: The Meeting in June
"Well, I see that we are all here. I have some rather important news to share. Lemondrop, anyone?"
The faculty and staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry all murmured a "no thank you" to Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster. He gave them a look of understanding, his eyes twinkling. There was a feeling of anxiety about the room. Indeed, all could tell that Dumbledore had some news to deliver.
"Right. First, we shall discuss the curriculum for the coming year. Professor Pothead --- " Dumbledore nodded in the direction of a mustached man in a leather jacket " --- has decided to stay with us, therefore, Producing Ordinary Things Simply shall be an offered course next term."
Dumbledore then continued, informing the professors who would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts that year, as well as a few other minor points and details. When he finally ended this spiel, the meeting room was bursting with tension.
Dumbledore was gazing merrily about the room when Minerva finally cut through the apprehension.
"Professor Dumbledore, what is the important news?"
Dumbledore smiled.
"We have a transfer student."
A collective sigh spread throughout the chamber.
Dumbledore frowned at this; he knew they wouldn't be sighing in a moment.
"From which school?" Severus Snape inquired, keeping a tone of boredom in his voice.
"Durmstrang Academy."
The relief began to fade.
"Her name is Ekaterina Keselovski. She is a nineteen year-old from Romania."
"What Year Level?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Year Seven," said Albus.
"Why is she so old then?" Sybil Trelawney asked.
"Well, due to extenuating circumstances, she entered Durmstrang at thirteen as a First Year Level pupil. Other unusual situations are involved with her transfer, but Hogwarts shall see her through them."
"What situations would those be, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"Miss Keselovski has been expelled from three schools, previously."
The chamber went through a silent uproar. Every teacher thought, How could he take a student who is like that? or some variant of that thought. They were all aware of Dumbledore's consuming sense of hospitality, but to do this? This was beyond its usual state.
The only people who did not disagree with his decision in such a militant fashion were Rubeus Hagrid, Minerva McGonagall, and Severus Snape.
Hagrid went right out and said, "Lord bless yah, Dumbledore."
Minerva internally sighed, Well, he's done it again.
And Severus Snape thought, Oh good Lord. Another Potter.
Dumbledore smiled at Hagrid and continued.
"She is a brilliant student. Particularly good at Potions, if I recall correctly. Professor Ciu had great hopes for her," Dumbledore said, referring to Durmstrang's Potions teacher. Dumbledore gave Snape a pointed glance before continuing.
"She will arriving in August. As she does not have any living relations here, and she has not lived in England for a considerable amount of time, I find it necessary …. "
Meanwhile, Severus Snape was not listening. No, he was still complaining in his mind.
Another headstrong, insufferable brat. Probably will be a Gryffin ---
Severus' thoughts were interrupted by the mention of his name. He looked about the room. Everyone was looking at him, as if they were expecting something. It was unsettling him significantly.
"Beg pardon?" he asked finally, lifting his water glass to take a sip.
"Severus," Dumbledore said, "you've just been nominated to be Miss Keselovski's mentor."
Snape choked.
"WHAT?" he exclaimed between coughs.
Professor Sprout giggled at his obvious surprise, Minerva gave him a little smile, and Dumbledore had that damnable twinkle in his eyes.
"Are you all insane?" he asked, calmer this time. "Who suggested I be this girl's mentor?"
"I did," said Minerva merrily.
Snape gave her a death-glare from hell.
Now, one would try to imagine the reasoning Minerva McGonagall had running through her head in this decision. One would also think that she would not feed a possible Gryffindor to the wolves, but Minerva, like many other people was subject to stereotypes, and Durmstrang was notorious for producing Slytherin-like students. Therefore, she believed Ekaterina Keselovski would be sorted into Slytherin and should begin establishing a mentorship with her future Head-of-House as soon as possible.
Dumbledore fiddled about in his robes, then pulled out a red bag.
"Skittles, Severus?" he said, holding out the bag.
Professor Sprout chuckled again as Snape turned the death-glare to Dumbledore.
"No," he snapped.
Dumbledore shrugged and raised his eyebrows, as if to say, "Suit yourself." Then, he put the bag of Skittles into his left breast-pocket.
Suddenly, while still looking in the pocket, Dumbledore exclaimed, "Ah!" and pulled a file from the pocket. Goodness knows how he fit it in there, but he was Dumbledore after all. Everyone knew he had tons of tricks up his sleeve --- no pun intended.
Dumbledore opened the file.
"I nearly forgot. Here is a photograph of Miss Keselovski. Muggle, of course," he said, passing a little rectangular card to McGonagall. She took a long look at it.
"My goodness," she mused, "she apparently shares your tastes, Severus."
"I am sure she does not," Snape protested.
But then Minerva passed the photo to Severus.
Ekaterina Keselovski was an extreme, although healthy, pale. She also had black hair and black clothing. However, her eyes were hazel, and she was smiling, which was something Snape never did.
"Well I don't see any resemblance at all," he said, tossing the photo onto the table.
"So, we all are agreed, then? Severus shall be Miss Keselovski's mentor."
"No, we are certainly not all agreed," Snape rebuttaled coolly. "I have not agreed. You know I am not the best person for this."
"On the contrary, Severus, I believe you are perfect for this task," said Dumbledore.
Snape could see that he was not getting out of this one.
"Fine," he growled.
"Good," said Dumbledore, "it's settled then. This meeting is adjourned."
Snape immediately stood, planning to confront Dumbledore about this in private. But one smile from the old man was enough to dissuade Severus.
He walked from the room and down to his dark, dreary dungeon, hoping to find some way out of this.