Declaimer: I don't own Harry and Co. So I "borrow" the idea of HP world and JKR creation to write my own little fiction. But I do own this plot and any my own made up characters, spells, songs (Sorting Hat's song) and places what may come up in the story. If anyone would like to use them then please email me and let me know.
Summery: AU! OP spoilers! Harry Potter disappears from the Wizarding world in summer after his 4th year. Now when his friends go to their final year Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, but not as a student.
About this story: It is one of my old unfinished stories what I accidentally found and decided to put on the net so you fine people can say what you think about it. My first priority in writing fictions is with my other story: "Heir of Dark Lord", but I wanted to write something else for a while so I took this story little rewrote what I already had –and so here it is. Enjoy!
Chapter 1 – The new Professor
Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger made their way throw the double doors into the Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was September the first –first day back at school after long summer holyday. Along with many other students who where looking for their respective places to sit, both friends made slowly their way toward Gryffindor table where they were greeted by their old friends and housemates. As both of them were quite popular in school they also received many greetings from the other houses as well –except one of course: The House of Snakes –Slytherin.
Finally sitting at her house table between her best friend and his sister Ginny, Hermione, seventh year prefect and headgirl, looked around the Hall. Her eyes swept over the Headtable where in the middle on golden chair was sitting with long silver-grey hair and beard was Albus Dumbledore, who as she locked her gaze with, smiled at her kindly, his electric blue eyes sparkling mischievously. As she looked further she saw other professors sitting and talking with each other quietly and waiting for the Sorting ceremony to begin. Only Professor McGonogall and Hagrid were missing –but she was probably arriving any minute with first-years and Hagrid just came beaming happily
"Strange isn't it," she asked her friend as her eyes rested on yet-again new Defence Against Dark Arts teacher. He seemed to be pretty young and handsome man with jet-black hairs what fell all around his face and touching from back his shoulders, but Hermione couldn't see man's face as he was bent over and talking excitedly with Charms teacher, Professor Flitwick, who was so small that had to sit on pile of pillows. Ron's grumbling about something made her to turn her attention back to her friend, "I'm sorry what did you say," she asked.
"I said look at Snape," answered Ron in a blissful tone like Christmas had come early. As Hermione again turned her attention toward end of the table she couldn't do but chuckle, because sour Potions Professor looked just opposite to Ron –even worse if that was possible. Trying to find a reason of man's discomfort she followed his gaze and her eyes again landed on new Professor. Sense of Deja Vu hit Hermione as she remembered their third year when Professor Lupin had taken the place of DADA Professor. Well who ever new teacher was his life wasn't going to be easy, because if look could kill then he would be already more then just dead –perished.
Just then a man looked at her and Hermione's heart almost stopped as their eyes met for a moment. There was something familiar about him –something she couldn't quite place. She knew she had seen him before, but where? But man –or actually just a boy, he couldn't be older then seventeen or eighteen judging by his face, but before Hermione could have a really good look at the young boy who as Hermione thought was going to teach them, Professor McGonogall passed with really scared looking first years and broke their eye-contact. As she tried to catch boy's eye again he had already turned away and was now urgently talking with Dumbledore who had to lean over Flitwick to talk to him.
Just as Hermione wanted to say about her feelings about new teacher to her friend, that she had seen him somewhere before, she was cut off as Sorting Hat started it's traditional Start-Of-Terms song and she as most of the other students listened to the song.
Long time ago before this school was built,
great evil made it's present known.
Free people had to choose,
to bow and serve or die in trying to oppose!
Still there were many men,
whose courage saved us in the end.
There was noble Gryffindor so brave,
who didn't fear to stand and fight.
Cunning Slytherin, friend of his,
used any means to get his way.
Wise Ravenclaw, smart and clever,
with wisdom beyond her time.
And Lady Huffelpuff with brains,
loyalty and hardworking were her traits.
Together four friends in union,
freed the world of evilness.
And to place where held last battle was,
to built a school they all agreed.
Hogwarts, they named the school,
to where they took old and young.
To teach the art of magic,
what they knew so well.
Happily they lived for long,
taught, in what they were best.
But nothing lasts forever,
soon broken was idyll.
Three houses separated from the other,
and till today it is this way.
Take my warning o' Hogwarts four,
reunited houses must to be!
Or darkness seeks its way,
to our hearts from there,
from where we do not expect!
But now farewell I wish you all,
till next year when I have another song.
So let the Sorting to begin,
because I'm a thinking hat!
Everyone started clapping in the hall, but not as loudly as usual. It was third time hat had given them a warning but there were many who disagreed with warning. And of course one of them was Hermione's friend Ron who stared at Slytherins and was bubbling about them being sneaky spoiled prats. Of course in some ways she had to agree with him, because Slytherins were nasty at times. As the hat's song was over the Ceremony started. But all Hermione's attempts to watch it were futile because of whining Ron.
"Ron would you shut up? It's last time we have a chance to watch it," Hermione finally hissed, but Ron only stated that he was hungry. And then there was that another sensation –like someone was watching her. She felt someone's heavy stare piercing a hole into her head. As she lifted her head she saw that new boy from the stuff table looking at her, but as soon as she lifted her head boy blushed and looked away. Strange! Thought Hermione by herself. But again just as she was about to concentrate again on the Sorting and watched how Michael Parker was sorted to Ravenclaw and the respective house was clapping to welcome new student to their house, Ron said something Hermione had avoided that evening at all cost.
"I miss him Hermione". That single statement almost brought tears into her eyes. It had been for two years since her other best friend had disappeared at summer after his fourth year. No one knew exactly where The-Boy-Who-Lived was, except Dumbledore who from time to time received letters from the boy stating that he was all right and well. Hermione and Ron guessed that Harry had just been moved into safety, because of Voldemort. But still they missed him.
"The sorting is just not same anymore," her friend said quietly. She nodded. Of course it wasn't. They had never really understood just exactly how much they both cared for their friend until he was gone, but Dumbledore had said to them that sooner or later Harry would be back –but when? Hermione was afraid that it wouldn't be same Harry they once knew anymore. After all according to books fourteen till eighteen where years in person's life where he changed more then during any other years in his life. She looked down at the table for a moment forgetting herself into memories of the previous day before Harry had gone a bit more then two years ago.
It had been Harry's hearing day at the Ministry for his illegal use of magic when Dementors had attacked him and his cousin near their home. All she knew was that hearing didn't go well and that Harry was expelled from Hogwarts. Somehow Dumbledore had managed to keep Harry's wand and also somehow wrangled adult wizard's rights to Harry through French Ministry of Magic where he had a good friend. After that a next morning Harry was gone leaving only a small hastily written note behind what read:
It's seems to be my destiny to leave. I'm sorry but I have to go! I know you will
be angry with me but one day I'll explain everything. I will be back. Be well!
Harry.
As Hermione came back to her senses thinking that what would have been differently if Harry had stayed –well probably Harry would be sitting now between her and Ron where he always had sat. Silently pushing her thoughts away from her friend she noticed that strange boy was yet-again looking at her, but just as she looked up, McGonogall collected Sorting hat and stool and rushed out of the Grate Hall while Dumbledore stood up to give his Start-Of-Term-Speech
"Ah welcome, welcome," stated old man smiling to all four houses happily with expression that nothing delighted him more then to see them all there, "to another year here at Hogwarts. As usual I have few Start of term notices to make. Forbidden forest is as always as forbidden as ever and some students should remember that before going in there. Also no magic in corridors, as well as our Caretaker Mr. Filch asked me to remind you that list of forbidden things can be found in his office. Also as it has become a tradition for the last seven years we have a new Defence Against Dark Arts Professor." Here everyone looked at the new guy, but he resolutely stared at the ceiling, like there was no one in the hall at all. Snape sneered in his direction.
"I believe you all know him very well as he was a student here just a few years ago," continued Dumbledore smiling, Hermione sat forth to have a closer look at the Boy, "but allow me to assure you that he is more then capable of teaching. So I there say Welcome to Professor Potter" Hermione stared at the boy who now stood up and bowed to the studentbody and again looked at her smiling. And now it her, "Harry Potter," she whispered not believing her eyes.
"Potter?""As Harry Potter?"
"It can't be!"
"Is it Potter's dad?" "No he is dead you moron!"
"But, but… Look at his eyes." "Oh yeah green!"
"And a scar!"
Echoes started raising everywhere around her. Hermione couldn't just believe it! But then again there he was, Harry Potter. She looked at Ron who had the same dumbfounded look on his face and he was gasping not really knowing how to talk. Everywhere people where talking loudly and staring at their new teacher –someone who should be still a student sit with them and have classes and Quidditch matches... Some students were surprised and some were making faces and were about to protest. Like Malfoy at the Slytherin table who was intimidating with grate success a picture of fish out of water.
Suddenly Hermione was pulled into a tight hug and as she looked at the red head resting in her embrace she heard Ron to mutter, "He's back Mione," as he pulled away he looked a hell lot more happy then before, "look at Malfoy," he said. "I can't believe it. He is… is a teacher. Wow I wish that Fred and George where here. I mean I…" Hermione was now laughing hard, at her best friend, "That's enough Ron," she finally stated. As she looked up she noticed Dumbledore to raise his hand again to gain attention. In about thirty seconds he got it finally.
"Thank you," stated old man chuckling, "but I wanted to annoy you with old man's yarn for just a few more moments. Yes it is indeed Harry Potter and I ask you to respect and treat him just as any other Professor you have." Here he paused looking sternly at his student's for a moment before carrying on, "So now that I said it, I believe we have waited long enough already, so tuck in," old mage waved his hands and suddenly food appeared on the tables earning a laud gasps from the most of the first years.
"Mione," asked Ron turning to her while putting on his dish everything he could. Starting from roasted chicken and smashed potatoes finishing with kettle pies.
"Yes Ron?"
"It's just strange," said Ron, "I mean every year we have a new teacher in DADA. I hope Harry is better then last two were. I mean he has always been good in the subject haven't he?" Hermione only nodded, she was still bottled up with emotions and too shocked to talk, but Ron had a point. Last two professors had been complete idiots. Cold shivers went over her spine as she remembered Professor Umbridge from their fifth year. Horrible woman she was. Professor Egob Bist wasn't bad but he thought only about himself and how he looked –much like Lockhart, only Professor Bist at least knew something about the subject.
Soon the feast came to an end and sleepy students started to go to their dormitories. But both Hermione and Ron decided to sit and wait for Harry, who as most of the students were filling out came in their direction huge smile on his face. It was first time Hermione could take a good look at her friend. He was taller, still bony, but lot stronger and confident then before. His hairs were longer and didn't stick in every direction anymore. Also he didn't have glasses and his eyes were sparkling with green twinkles, like Dumbledore's. His face was more mature. He wore a long black robe and before Hermione could say or do something she and Ron where pulled into a tight hug.
"Oh I missed you two," Harry said finally letting them go and giving them both a hugs separately. "Harry," Hermione begun, but Harry cut her off, "You mean Professor Potter? Hmm?" Harry was now grinning at them as Ron blurted out, "You a Professor? I still can't believe it!" Harry just smiled at them, "You better believe it Mr Weasley," Harry said grinning like maniac. Finally Hermione couldn't hold herself and slapped Harry hard in the face.
"That's for leaving us like that and not even writing Professor jerk," she said angrily and then pulled Harry into another hug, "I'm sorry Harry, just promise you won't do anything like that again okay?" The-Boy-Who-Lived hugged her back and said softly, "it's okay I deserved this. I hope you two are okay?" he asked pulling away again. They both nodded. But in this moment Snape came and sneered at Harry, "Potter we won't be waiting for you forever!" Harry turned around to face his former professor and said, "I'll be right there Professor Snape, just few words with my students and I'll be there!" With that Potion master stalked away his cloak billowing behind him.
"Well I guess I have to go," said Harry, "we, a staff, have our own small Start-Of-Term banquet, so I'll be seeing you tomorrow then." Both Hermione and Ron nodded their heads. "Ah by the way, I believe we will be seeing tomorrow in my first class, so don't be late! And Ron… I wouldn't count in your place on the fact that your teacher is your best friend when it comes to your schoolwork or house points," said Harry and then wished them goodnight and almost run away. 'Well' Hermione thought by herself as she and Ron made their way to the Gryffindor common room 'Harry will never change!'
To Be Continued…
Okay did you like the chapter? Please review and tell me what you think about it. And please tell me what you think about the Song? (Sorry, but I just spent whole day working on it… well almost)