Chapter Four: Amulet, Talismans and the Potions Class
They made it all the way to Hogwarts before seen a familiar face, Neville Longbottom, the most clumsy and forgetful person Harry had ever met in his life, had got off the train just ahead of them. He was looking about nervously and when he finally saw Harry, Ron and Hermione he gave a breath of relief. "There you guy are. I was looking for you all over the place. I was worried that you guys weren't coming back this year, like so many other people." He joined them as they climbed into one of the horseless carriages that usually took them up to school grounds. When they were all in Neville looked at Harry with surprise. "Oh Harry you are the Gryffindor's new prefect?" Harry nodded. They glanced out the window and Harry notice the first years following someone towards the boats as they usual did, but the person leading the way wasn't the same person as usual. Hagrid was the one who usually led the way to the boat and then up to the school, but Harry knew that Hagrid was away from school on doing a task that Dumbledore had asked him to do.
"Look Professor Sprout is taking the first years to the boat this year." Ron notice the stout little witch, who was the teacher of the Herbology class, was the person who was leading the first years. "Where is Hagrid?"
"He is still doing that thing Dumbledore asked him to do." Said Harry. Ron and Hermione understood what he was talking about because they were the only students, who know what was really going on, and Neville looked down right confused. The carriage started with a jolt and they made their way to Hogwarts. Suddenly Harry had and idea that made him smiled. "Did any of you see Malfoy on the train at all?" He asked the others, they all though for a moment and then smiled.
"Now that I come to think of it. I didn't see him when I was looking for you." Neville told them. There was an excited air in the carriage has it enter the huge gates of Hogwarts and they all look up at the castle with it great towers and swiping lawns. They were all happy with the though that Malfoy was not going to be there this, but their happiness was dashed as the started to climb down from their carriage. They heard the familiar voice of Malfoy coming from behind them
"Potter! I am surprise to see you here have what happened last year and how you got that Diggory boy killed." Harry turned to see the pale and pointed face of Malfoy sneering at him, behind him Harry saw Crabbe and Goyle, the two ape looking boy who were always standing just behind Malfoy as though they were his bodyguards. Harry was just about to say something back at Malfoy when he heard Hermione speak first.
"What Malfoy, you got tiered of crawling on your hands and knees in the shadow of that thing all summer or didn't he want you." Said Hermione coldly. Malfoy just looked at her in disgust and walked quickly away.
"I think that on got him, Hermione." Ron said as he tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help himself and when he broke out in laughter so did Harry, Hermione and Neville. They were still laughing when they walked into the school and headed for the great marble staircase in the Great Hall when Harry heard his name being called.
"Harry Potter." Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress and the head of the Gryffindor House, the house that Harry, Ron and Hermione were all in, calling him from the top of the stairs. Professor McGonagall had a particular talent for making Harry feel as though he had done something wrong when he hadn't. Professor McGonagall was a very sever looking woman, who always had her hair up in a tight bun, and a pair of square shape spectacles that surrounded her small eyes. She walked down the stairs to where the four of them stopped death in their tracks. "I believe you have somewhere you ought to be." Said Professor McGonagall with a smile.
"Oh yeah." Said Harry. "You guys go to the Great Hall and save me a seat. I have to go to a prefects meeting. Meet you guy in the Great Hall.' Harry ran up the stair and went into the room just off of the Great Hall. The room was filled with the other prefect and the new Head Boy and Girl, who were both from Ravenclaw. Harry found were the other Gryffindors were and stood by them. They were all excited about having Harry as prefect. Harry was just starting to feel comfortable a room with all of the prefects when he heard a voice calling him from across the room.
"So Potter was also made a prefect." Harry turned and saw Malfoy sitting next to a group of Slytherin. "And I was so hoping to get you in so much trouble." Harry was about to say something particularly nasty when the door opened and Dumbledore walked in. Everyone went silence as the Headmaster began to speak.
"Welcome prefects, to the start of year meeting. We have four new prefects I would like to introduce you to. From Slytherin Draco Malfoy, from Hufflepuff Justin Finch-Fletchley, from Ravenclaw Mandy Brocklehurst, and finally from Gryffindor Harry Potter." The older prefects all clapped for the new prefects. "This year there are a few new rules. First off the Hogsmeade trip are going to be cut back to only two this year and the people who go will be escorted by Professors. Another thing is that we are going to have harder punishments for people who are caught in the corridors after hours. When you leave you will receive the new passwords for your house common rooms from the heads of your houses. Everyone is excused to go to the feast." Everyone was leaving, when Dumbledore spoke again. "Harry could you stay for a moment."
Harry stayed behind and waited until everyone had left the room. "Yes Professor?"
"I was informed that you were told about Cassandra." Said Dumbledore and then paused for a moment before continuing. "Harry, everyone thought that she was dead. I even thought she was dead, but I seems that she is not."
"How could she fool everyone that she was dead?" asked Harry.
"Not by herself. Harry you see she was only eleven when Voldemort killed her or so we thought, it was the summer before your parents died. She has never gone to a wizarding school, so I cannot see how she would be able to do the spells that were obviously used." Harry looked at Dumbledore. Harry wanted to say something but the door opened for the corridor and the first years were been lead into the room.
"Oh Headmaster. I didn't know. I thought you were finished already." Said Professor McGonagall.
"No, Professor we are done here." Said Professor Dumbledore. "Harry." Harry followed Dumbledore out of the room and behind him he heard an excited first year whispering something about 'the famous Harry Potter.' Harry smiled slightly. Before Harry left Professor McGonagall stopped him.
"Oh Harry." She pulled him aside and in a soft voice told Harry the new password for the Gryffindor tower. Harry nodded and left the room quickly. He joined Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. Everyone was congratulating Harry about being a prefect when the first year came in. They were talking towards the front of the hall with anxious expressions. Harry didn't pay much attention to the sorting, he was to deep in thought about Cassandra, and it wasn't until Dumbledore stood up for his usual announcements did he heard a word that was said.
"Another year as come to Hogwarts and more people have come to study here, even though we are missing quite a few of our number. I will like to remind everyone that the forest in forbidden to all students." His eyes feel on Fred and George and then onto Harry and Ron, all of who have either been in the forest or tried to go in. "And with another year comes another teacher to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. May I introduce Professor Alexandra Smith."
A witch stood up towards the end of the staff table, she was a tall witch with extremely long black hair and icy blue eyes that made Harry shutter when he looked at her. A small smile appeared on her face as she sat back down and let Dumbledore continue with the announcements. Harry, Ron and Hermione all glanced at Snape, everyone knew that Snape always wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts position and for another year he didn't get it, they were excepting him to have a look of hatred on his face, but he didn't. As Alexandra sat back down she looked at Snape with a smile, and to Harry's surprise Snape smiled back at her. All three of them look at each other with amazement.
"Hagrid, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, is away from Hogwarts and won't be back until the third term, so we have another teacher filling in for him until he comes back. May I introduce Professor Justin Callahan." Then a wizard at the other end of the table stood up, he was an older wizard with thick glasses that never seemed to stay in place and they made his eyes look bigger than normal. His short sandy brown hair seemed to be just as untidy has Harry's and his robes were worn and tattered. He stood up nodded his head in acknowledgement and then sat back down quickly. "That is the end of my announcements, so let the feast begin." As Dumbledore said this the gold plates and goblets, which were sitting on the table in front of them, filled with delicious looking foods and drinks.
Harry ate everything on his plate (it kept refilling itself). When the feast was over Harry told Ron and Hermione the new password to the tower and then went to where the other Gryffindor prefects had the first years. The seventh year prefect was leading them and Harry made sure that none of them got left behind. They wound their way around the castle until they all stood in front of the picture of the fat lady. The seventh year prefect said the password, which made the first years giggle a little as the fat lady's picture flew open exposing the commons room. When all of the first year were in the commons room, Harry's job was over, and decided to go to Dumbledore's office, he had some questions he would like to ask him. He found his way to Dumbledore's office without even a look up.
When he came to the gargoyle he whispered the password that Professor McGonagall had told him, and went up the stairs Harry went to knock on the door when he heard someone, who was not Dumbledore speaking. It was a female voice, this witch talked rather slowly with a hint of an evil tone that Harry had never heard before.
"Yes I know what you are talking about, but it simply can't be Cassie. Cassie would never come out of hiding while there are rumors that HE is back. You know that Severus." The woman's voice stop and then Snape's cold voice came through the door.
"Normally I would say that you were right Alex, but how do you explain everything that we have been hearing about..." Snape's voice trailed off "Didn't you see the picture the Ministry had it is her and if he finds out who help her to disappear..." He stopped for a moment. "What is it?" He asked the woman.
"I think we need to talk about this later." The woman's voice sent a chill down Harry's spine. "I think someone want to talk to Dumbledore." She said as the door opened and Harry was staring into the icy eyes of Professor Smith. She motion for Harry to come into the room, her movement were slow and Harry left like he was watching her through water. "I will get Dumbledore." She said, then gave Snape a cold smile and left Harry in the room with Snape, who was looking a little angry with him for listening in on his conversation. They stared at each other in total silence, until Dumbledore came into the room.
"Harry, are you okay?" asked Dumbledore. Harry was going to speak but then he looked up at Snape would was still staring at him. "Professor Snape would you please excuse us?" Professor Dumbledore peered over his half moon glasses.
"Yes Professor." Said Snape and walked from the room. Harry took a deep breath and looked at Dumbledore.
"Professor, why didn't anyone tell me that I had an Aunt and cousin, let only they were killed or thought to be killed by Voldemort?" asked Harry.
"Well Harry to tell you the truth, there wasn't really a time to actually tell you about it." Said Dumbledore. "How are we supposed to tell you about you Aunt and cousin when you are still trying to deal with your parents death?" Harry nodded he understood that.
"And you said that she never went to a wizarding school, but there were spells used to hide her?" asked Harry.
"Yes, Harry. She never went to a wizarding school, but she was taken by Voldemort for six year Harry." Harry looked confused. Everything seems mixed up to him and Dumbledore noticed. "Okay Harry let me start a the beginning. After your father's sister, Jennifer, graduated from Hogwarts she was an Aruor, she knew the real Mad Eye Moody, actually Moody was the one who trained her. She went on a mission and when she came back she was pregnant with your cousin and she wouldn't tell anyone whom the father was. When Cassandra was born everyone knew that there was something special about her, but no one knew what at the time. That is why most people thought Voldemort killed your Aunt. When Cassandra was five years old she and her mother were chased from their home and when the Death Eaters caught them they took Cassandra and killed Jennifer. It was a terrible day.
"But there was more terrible days to come Harry. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were killing Wizards and Muggles all over the country and he still had Cassandra. There were rumors that Voldemort was experimenting his spells and potions on her. Then one day Ministry wizards were called to the site where Voldemort had killed three wizards and two Muggles. They found a letter from Voldemort that said, 'Another Potter has been killed and soon the last of Potters will die.' Your father and I discussed if this letter was really from Voldemort or not. I thought that it would be a good idea to act as though it was, and that was two weeks before you were born. Everyone thought she was dead. I guess that was what she wanted. She didn't want Voldemort to find her again." Dumbledore fell silent Harry had finally realized why Cassandra had the sorrowful looks all the time, she had some of the same experiences has he did. "Are there any more questions Harry?"
"No. I don't have anymore questions." Said Harry. "Thank you Professor, I think I have enough to think about for right now." Harry got out of his seat started to head for the door.
"Harry." Harry turned to look at Dumbledore. "Have a nice night and a good year." Harry smiled and left the office. He walked through the corridors thinking about Cassandra and why she felt like an older sister to him, she was, or at least she was an older cousin. He smiled at the though of having an older cousin, but then the thought that Voldemort had taken her made him furious. He hated Voldemort even more, if that was possible. While he was thinking about he was walking to the Gryffindor tower and didn't realized that he was there until he almost ran into the Fat Lady.
"Pixie Wings." Harry said the password that he had received from Professor McGonagall and the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open. Harry walked through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, where there were a lot of people still up and talking excitedly about the year ahead. Harry found Ron and Hermione sitting in a couple of chair in the corner and he rushed over to them.
"Harry where have you been? We got he and you weren't anywhere to be found." Asked Hermione. Harry looked at her and smiled.
"I was talking to Dumbledore that's all." Said Harry. Harry told them what Professor Dumbledore told him and then he remembered what happened before he entered Dumbledore's office. He told them about Professor Snape and Professor Smith's little conversation he had over heard.
"Professor Smith knows Professor Snape?" Was all that Ron could say. Hermione gave him a sideways glance before speaking herself.
"Harry I am sorry about Cassandra. I wish I could of meet her." She smiled at Harry and Harry smiled back, but Ron was still is a state of shock.
"Professor Smith knows Professor Snape?" He said again. Both Harry and Hermione look at him with odd expressions.
"It looks like it, Ron." Said Harry
"That would explain why he doesn't hate her, like he has hated all the other Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I hope she is a good teacher. I wish Lupin could of came back. I don't care it he is a werewolf." Ron looked at Harry and Hermione with their odd expressions. "What?" Hermione shook her head at Ron and then spoke.
"The thing I want to know is how does Snape know Professor Smith, and how do they both know about Cassandra."
"I don't know." Said Harry as he noticed that they were the last people still awake. "Well it is getting late and tomorrows our first day. I think I am going to bed." They all stood up and went up to their dormitories. As Harry and Ron entered the fifth year boys' dormitory they happily noticed that all of the fifth year boys had come back and not stayed at home. Neville Longbottom was snoring in his four-poster, Dean Thomas was dreaming about Quidditch in his four-poster, and Seamus Finnigan was sleeping soundlessly in his. Harry and Ron climbed into their beds and fell asleep quickly
The next morning Harry got up a little late and went downstairs for breakfast. He got there just in time to grab a piece of toast and follow Ron and Hermione to their first class, Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. Harry like Herbology, it was one of the classes that he wasn't bored to death, yelled at or had no idea what he was doing. This class was taught by the stout witch who lead the first years across the lake the day before, Professor Sprout, she was showing the class a really nasty look flower called Totallia, when the bell rang for the next class.
Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors made their way to the History of Magic class, which was taught by their only ghost teacher, Professor Binns, whose voice could put anyone to sleep. Professor Binns droned on and on reviewing medieval witch burnings and all of the class, except Hermione was just about to fall asleep when the bell sounded loudly for lunch. Harry was glad that it was lunch, because the piece of toast he had that morning wasn't enough to get him through History of Magic and now is stomach was growling. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat talking about things and eating as much food as possible when they noticed that they had Care of Magical Creature next.
"I wonder how well Professor Callahan teaches the class. He didn't really look like he could handle some of the creature we have seen." Ron said.
"Yeah, but Ron you have admit, not many other people could either." Hermione said, Harry knew what she was talking about, Hagrid, their usual Care of Magical Creatures teacher, had a fascination which monster. They had meet the third headed dog, that he bought off an Irish fellow, their first year, along with Norbert the Dragon he tried to rise in his small wooden hut on the edge of the forest, among other strange creatures throughout the years. "Where is the class going to be, Ron? Is it still by Hagrid's hut or are we in a classroom this year?" Hermione asked Ron. Ron looked down at the paper and back up quickly.
"Still by Hagrid's hut." Said Ron. The three of them were finished with their lunch they head towards Hagrid's hut a little early. When they got their they saw Professor Callahan running around making sure everything was in the right place for his first class. As Harry, Ron and Hermione walked up to Professor Callahan, he didn't even notice them. Harry took a step toward
"Professor..."
"Aaahhhh." Professor Callahan jumped and them looked at them. "Oh my dear, you frighten me there." He took a deep breath. "Please don't sneak up on me like that."
"Err, Professor I'm sorry. Just wanted to know if you need any help." Said Harry with a half smile.
"What? Oh no... no." He looked around at the little boxes that were scattered across the grass. "I have everything under control." A few minutes later, Professor Callahan was still running around from box to box nervously as the rest of the class walked down to where Harry, Ron and Hermione stood. They had Care of Magical Creature with the Slytherins and that was the one thing Harry ever hated about the class, except sometimes the Creature Hagrid paraded in front of them. Harry turned and saw Malfoy and his two goons walking down the hill.
"Potter! Looks like they got ridge of that half giant freak of yours." Malfoy laughed coldly, but Harry just ignored them. When they were all there Professor Callahan began the lesson.
"Good you are all here. Today I am going to show you a rather interesting creature. This creature is half plant and half animal. I already spoke with Professor Sprout and she told me that you guys are not going to cover this particular creature in her class, so I decide that I will. This Creature is called the Alagorious Flower. It is like the Venus Fly Trap but much, much more furious. You will have to watch you fingers around these flowers." He smiled and then picked up a box and underneath it was a very beautiful flower that looked kind of like a rose sitting in a flowerpot. Professor Callahan pulled out a dead rat from his pocket and threw it at the ground next to it. Then something shocking happened, the flower open what looked like its mouth, and it had hundreds of little sharp teeth, and violently grabbed the death rat, then began to eat it. Everyone jumped back a couple of feet. "For the rest of the term we will be learning how to care for these creatures and you will get full scores it ours is still alive at the end of the term."
When the class was finally finished Harry, Ron and Hermione were done for the day and they gladly walked back up to their common room, collapsed into chairs when they reach it. "I think all Care of Magical Creature teacher love monsters, not just Hagrid." Ron squeaked and they all laughed. The week was almost end when on Friday they had double Defense Against the Dark Arts and double Potions; Harry wasn't looking forward to it.
Friday morning found Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindors sitting in their first Defense Against the Dark Arts of the year. Professor Smith was about five minutes late, but when she came a cold breeze seemed to enter the class with her. She was dressed in black robes that made her pale sink look even paler. Her icy eyes wandered over the class looking at everyone then she glance at a piece of parchment. "Good. Everyone is here." Her slow cold voice gave Harry the chills. "I am sorry for my lateness but I was in a conversation with Professor Snape about a certain potion. Well this year we are going to learn about magical Amulets and Talismans that defends you again dark spell and enchantments, and towards the end of the year we will review everything you have had over the last four years, and I will correct any mistakes your other teachers taught you." Hermione smiled hard at Professor Smith has she went on.
"Does any of you know of a particular amulet or Talisman that will defend you against a dark attack?" asked Professor Smith and to no ones surprise Hermione's hand was held high in the air. "Mrs.... ah... Granger."
"Yes. There is the Rose Stone." Said Hermione with a smile.
"Yes a very common Talisman. The Rose Stone, when held in the right hand is very affective against dark enchantment in duels." She said as she unlocked a trunk in the corner of the room, which as full of different types of amulets and talismans, and pulled out a dark red stone which seemed to look like a flower. "This is a Rose Stone. It feels warm to the touch." She handed it to Neville Longbottom and then added. "And you cannot break it by dropping it." Just then Neville tried to hand it to the Dean Thomas who was sitting next to him, but dropped it.
Harry thought of the oddest thing. That was the second time that he noticed, that Professor Smith had known someone before it happened. He whispered his suspicion to Ron and Ron just looked at him, "Don't be silly Harry. You're just a little suspicion since the other night and anyway everyone knows that Neville will drop whatever he is giving." Ron said, and then turned his attention back to Professor Smith. Was he being silly, or did he have reason to believe that Professor Smith could see the future? Harry thought about it but his attention was brought back to the class as Professor Smith asked if someone knew another amulet or talisman. Hermione's hand into the air one more time, but Professor Smith didn't choice her.
"Why don't we have someone else give one? Okay." Hermione's hand came back down slowly, but no one else would raise their hand. "Oh come on. You are not telling me that none of you know any." To Harry's, and almost everyone else in the class, surprise Ron raised his hand. "Yes. Mr. Weasley?"
"I am not sure if this is actually one or if my brothers were joking with me, but the unicorn tear." Said Ron, to everyone's surprise.
"Yes the unicorn tear is a blue stone shape in a tear. There is only one own to exist. This particular stone has the able to heal all wounds and it also makes the person who wears it immortal, but there is only one caught gentlemen, only women can wear it." All the girls in the class started to giggle. The rest of the class went by quickly, everyone seemed to love Professor Smith as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Everyone started to pack up and leave as a big black dog trotted into the room. When everyone but Harry had left, Professor Smith started to walk out of the classroom, but stopped next to the dog. "Sirius." She said to him disdainfully and the dog watched her as she left. Harry went to the door and closed it so that Sirius could turn into human form and when he did, Harry started to ask him all the questions that were floating around in his head.
"Sirius! Where have you been?" Harry hugged Sirius. "Do you know Professor Smith?" Sirius laughed a little.
"Do I know Alex? Does anyone know Alex would be a better question? She keeps to herself a lot. She went here the same year as your father and I, she was in Slytherin House and was the only friend Snape really had. There was a rumor floating around school that she was a vampire, because no one every really saw her outside and with everything else about her... Well they helped the rumor around." Sirius shuttered for a second. "She always gave your father and I the creeps. There is something very odd about her. It sometimes seems that she could tell the future, but then sometimes she can't." Sirius laughed nervously and then noticed what time I was. "I think you should be getting into the Great Hall for lunch before potions." He said and then turned back into a dog. Harry opened the door and the large dog walked him all the way to the doors of the Great Hall.
Harry found Ron and Hermione towards the end of the Gryffindor's table and joined them, but he really wasn't hungry as he thought about what Sirius just told him. On their way to Potions Harry told Ron and Hermione about Professor Smith. They were discussing it we they stopped just outside the potions classroom. Snape was yelling at someone who was in the classroom with him. "I think Dumbledore should have kicked you three out before you arrived this year, but here you are making more trouble. You will leave Professor Smith alone or you will be kicked out. If I heard you doing anything to her again I will do it. I don't care who your fathers' are or who they serve. I am the head of Slytherin house and I can kick you out..." Snape was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"But Professor, what if I let it slip to say Harry Potter about what you have burned into you arm right now." Malfoy threaten Snape. "You know that I would do it, you traitor."
"How dare you. I don't care what you do. It won't make a difference, except get you expelled from Hogwarts and who would want you then, not being proper wizard and all. Besides..." Snape stop as he heard the noisy crowd of Gryffindors walking down the corridor for the Potions class. Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were all looking at each other, didn't move until the rest of the Gryffindors got closer. They stepped into the classroom to see Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle sitting in seat at the front of the class Professor Snape was standing by his desk, with an angry look on his face, and Professor Smith standing behind him. She saw the three of them and headed for the door then stopped and stood next to Harry.
"Don't say a word about that." She whispered then walked out the door as the rest of the Gryffindors walked into. Harry, Ron and Hermione look at each in shock. How could she have known they were listening?
They made it all the way to Hogwarts before seen a familiar face, Neville Longbottom, the most clumsy and forgetful person Harry had ever met in his life, had got off the train just ahead of them. He was looking about nervously and when he finally saw Harry, Ron and Hermione he gave a breath of relief. "There you guy are. I was looking for you all over the place. I was worried that you guys weren't coming back this year, like so many other people." He joined them as they climbed into one of the horseless carriages that usually took them up to school grounds. When they were all in Neville looked at Harry with surprise. "Oh Harry you are the Gryffindor's new prefect?" Harry nodded. They glanced out the window and Harry notice the first years following someone towards the boats as they usual did, but the person leading the way wasn't the same person as usual. Hagrid was the one who usually led the way to the boat and then up to the school, but Harry knew that Hagrid was away from school on doing a task that Dumbledore had asked him to do.
"Look Professor Sprout is taking the first years to the boat this year." Ron notice the stout little witch, who was the teacher of the Herbology class, was the person who was leading the first years. "Where is Hagrid?"
"He is still doing that thing Dumbledore asked him to do." Said Harry. Ron and Hermione understood what he was talking about because they were the only students, who know what was really going on, and Neville looked down right confused. The carriage started with a jolt and they made their way to Hogwarts. Suddenly Harry had and idea that made him smiled. "Did any of you see Malfoy on the train at all?" He asked the others, they all though for a moment and then smiled.
"Now that I come to think of it. I didn't see him when I was looking for you." Neville told them. There was an excited air in the carriage has it enter the huge gates of Hogwarts and they all look up at the castle with it great towers and swiping lawns. They were all happy with the though that Malfoy was not going to be there this, but their happiness was dashed as the started to climb down from their carriage. They heard the familiar voice of Malfoy coming from behind them
"Potter! I am surprise to see you here have what happened last year and how you got that Diggory boy killed." Harry turned to see the pale and pointed face of Malfoy sneering at him, behind him Harry saw Crabbe and Goyle, the two ape looking boy who were always standing just behind Malfoy as though they were his bodyguards. Harry was just about to say something back at Malfoy when he heard Hermione speak first.
"What Malfoy, you got tiered of crawling on your hands and knees in the shadow of that thing all summer or didn't he want you." Said Hermione coldly. Malfoy just looked at her in disgust and walked quickly away.
"I think that on got him, Hermione." Ron said as he tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help himself and when he broke out in laughter so did Harry, Hermione and Neville. They were still laughing when they walked into the school and headed for the great marble staircase in the Great Hall when Harry heard his name being called.
"Harry Potter." Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress and the head of the Gryffindor House, the house that Harry, Ron and Hermione were all in, calling him from the top of the stairs. Professor McGonagall had a particular talent for making Harry feel as though he had done something wrong when he hadn't. Professor McGonagall was a very sever looking woman, who always had her hair up in a tight bun, and a pair of square shape spectacles that surrounded her small eyes. She walked down the stairs to where the four of them stopped death in their tracks. "I believe you have somewhere you ought to be." Said Professor McGonagall with a smile.
"Oh yeah." Said Harry. "You guys go to the Great Hall and save me a seat. I have to go to a prefects meeting. Meet you guy in the Great Hall.' Harry ran up the stair and went into the room just off of the Great Hall. The room was filled with the other prefect and the new Head Boy and Girl, who were both from Ravenclaw. Harry found were the other Gryffindors were and stood by them. They were all excited about having Harry as prefect. Harry was just starting to feel comfortable a room with all of the prefects when he heard a voice calling him from across the room.
"So Potter was also made a prefect." Harry turned and saw Malfoy sitting next to a group of Slytherin. "And I was so hoping to get you in so much trouble." Harry was about to say something particularly nasty when the door opened and Dumbledore walked in. Everyone went silence as the Headmaster began to speak.
"Welcome prefects, to the start of year meeting. We have four new prefects I would like to introduce you to. From Slytherin Draco Malfoy, from Hufflepuff Justin Finch-Fletchley, from Ravenclaw Mandy Brocklehurst, and finally from Gryffindor Harry Potter." The older prefects all clapped for the new prefects. "This year there are a few new rules. First off the Hogsmeade trip are going to be cut back to only two this year and the people who go will be escorted by Professors. Another thing is that we are going to have harder punishments for people who are caught in the corridors after hours. When you leave you will receive the new passwords for your house common rooms from the heads of your houses. Everyone is excused to go to the feast." Everyone was leaving, when Dumbledore spoke again. "Harry could you stay for a moment."
Harry stayed behind and waited until everyone had left the room. "Yes Professor?"
"I was informed that you were told about Cassandra." Said Dumbledore and then paused for a moment before continuing. "Harry, everyone thought that she was dead. I even thought she was dead, but I seems that she is not."
"How could she fool everyone that she was dead?" asked Harry.
"Not by herself. Harry you see she was only eleven when Voldemort killed her or so we thought, it was the summer before your parents died. She has never gone to a wizarding school, so I cannot see how she would be able to do the spells that were obviously used." Harry looked at Dumbledore. Harry wanted to say something but the door opened for the corridor and the first years were been lead into the room.
"Oh Headmaster. I didn't know. I thought you were finished already." Said Professor McGonagall.
"No, Professor we are done here." Said Professor Dumbledore. "Harry." Harry followed Dumbledore out of the room and behind him he heard an excited first year whispering something about 'the famous Harry Potter.' Harry smiled slightly. Before Harry left Professor McGonagall stopped him.
"Oh Harry." She pulled him aside and in a soft voice told Harry the new password for the Gryffindor tower. Harry nodded and left the room quickly. He joined Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. Everyone was congratulating Harry about being a prefect when the first year came in. They were talking towards the front of the hall with anxious expressions. Harry didn't pay much attention to the sorting, he was to deep in thought about Cassandra, and it wasn't until Dumbledore stood up for his usual announcements did he heard a word that was said.
"Another year as come to Hogwarts and more people have come to study here, even though we are missing quite a few of our number. I will like to remind everyone that the forest in forbidden to all students." His eyes feel on Fred and George and then onto Harry and Ron, all of who have either been in the forest or tried to go in. "And with another year comes another teacher to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. May I introduce Professor Alexandra Smith."
A witch stood up towards the end of the staff table, she was a tall witch with extremely long black hair and icy blue eyes that made Harry shutter when he looked at her. A small smile appeared on her face as she sat back down and let Dumbledore continue with the announcements. Harry, Ron and Hermione all glanced at Snape, everyone knew that Snape always wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts position and for another year he didn't get it, they were excepting him to have a look of hatred on his face, but he didn't. As Alexandra sat back down she looked at Snape with a smile, and to Harry's surprise Snape smiled back at her. All three of them look at each other with amazement.
"Hagrid, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, is away from Hogwarts and won't be back until the third term, so we have another teacher filling in for him until he comes back. May I introduce Professor Justin Callahan." Then a wizard at the other end of the table stood up, he was an older wizard with thick glasses that never seemed to stay in place and they made his eyes look bigger than normal. His short sandy brown hair seemed to be just as untidy has Harry's and his robes were worn and tattered. He stood up nodded his head in acknowledgement and then sat back down quickly. "That is the end of my announcements, so let the feast begin." As Dumbledore said this the gold plates and goblets, which were sitting on the table in front of them, filled with delicious looking foods and drinks.
Harry ate everything on his plate (it kept refilling itself). When the feast was over Harry told Ron and Hermione the new password to the tower and then went to where the other Gryffindor prefects had the first years. The seventh year prefect was leading them and Harry made sure that none of them got left behind. They wound their way around the castle until they all stood in front of the picture of the fat lady. The seventh year prefect said the password, which made the first years giggle a little as the fat lady's picture flew open exposing the commons room. When all of the first year were in the commons room, Harry's job was over, and decided to go to Dumbledore's office, he had some questions he would like to ask him. He found his way to Dumbledore's office without even a look up.
When he came to the gargoyle he whispered the password that Professor McGonagall had told him, and went up the stairs Harry went to knock on the door when he heard someone, who was not Dumbledore speaking. It was a female voice, this witch talked rather slowly with a hint of an evil tone that Harry had never heard before.
"Yes I know what you are talking about, but it simply can't be Cassie. Cassie would never come out of hiding while there are rumors that HE is back. You know that Severus." The woman's voice stop and then Snape's cold voice came through the door.
"Normally I would say that you were right Alex, but how do you explain everything that we have been hearing about..." Snape's voice trailed off "Didn't you see the picture the Ministry had it is her and if he finds out who help her to disappear..." He stopped for a moment. "What is it?" He asked the woman.
"I think we need to talk about this later." The woman's voice sent a chill down Harry's spine. "I think someone want to talk to Dumbledore." She said as the door opened and Harry was staring into the icy eyes of Professor Smith. She motion for Harry to come into the room, her movement were slow and Harry left like he was watching her through water. "I will get Dumbledore." She said, then gave Snape a cold smile and left Harry in the room with Snape, who was looking a little angry with him for listening in on his conversation. They stared at each other in total silence, until Dumbledore came into the room.
"Harry, are you okay?" asked Dumbledore. Harry was going to speak but then he looked up at Snape would was still staring at him. "Professor Snape would you please excuse us?" Professor Dumbledore peered over his half moon glasses.
"Yes Professor." Said Snape and walked from the room. Harry took a deep breath and looked at Dumbledore.
"Professor, why didn't anyone tell me that I had an Aunt and cousin, let only they were killed or thought to be killed by Voldemort?" asked Harry.
"Well Harry to tell you the truth, there wasn't really a time to actually tell you about it." Said Dumbledore. "How are we supposed to tell you about you Aunt and cousin when you are still trying to deal with your parents death?" Harry nodded he understood that.
"And you said that she never went to a wizarding school, but there were spells used to hide her?" asked Harry.
"Yes, Harry. She never went to a wizarding school, but she was taken by Voldemort for six year Harry." Harry looked confused. Everything seems mixed up to him and Dumbledore noticed. "Okay Harry let me start a the beginning. After your father's sister, Jennifer, graduated from Hogwarts she was an Aruor, she knew the real Mad Eye Moody, actually Moody was the one who trained her. She went on a mission and when she came back she was pregnant with your cousin and she wouldn't tell anyone whom the father was. When Cassandra was born everyone knew that there was something special about her, but no one knew what at the time. That is why most people thought Voldemort killed your Aunt. When Cassandra was five years old she and her mother were chased from their home and when the Death Eaters caught them they took Cassandra and killed Jennifer. It was a terrible day.
"But there was more terrible days to come Harry. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were killing Wizards and Muggles all over the country and he still had Cassandra. There were rumors that Voldemort was experimenting his spells and potions on her. Then one day Ministry wizards were called to the site where Voldemort had killed three wizards and two Muggles. They found a letter from Voldemort that said, 'Another Potter has been killed and soon the last of Potters will die.' Your father and I discussed if this letter was really from Voldemort or not. I thought that it would be a good idea to act as though it was, and that was two weeks before you were born. Everyone thought she was dead. I guess that was what she wanted. She didn't want Voldemort to find her again." Dumbledore fell silent Harry had finally realized why Cassandra had the sorrowful looks all the time, she had some of the same experiences has he did. "Are there any more questions Harry?"
"No. I don't have anymore questions." Said Harry. "Thank you Professor, I think I have enough to think about for right now." Harry got out of his seat started to head for the door.
"Harry." Harry turned to look at Dumbledore. "Have a nice night and a good year." Harry smiled and left the office. He walked through the corridors thinking about Cassandra and why she felt like an older sister to him, she was, or at least she was an older cousin. He smiled at the though of having an older cousin, but then the thought that Voldemort had taken her made him furious. He hated Voldemort even more, if that was possible. While he was thinking about he was walking to the Gryffindor tower and didn't realized that he was there until he almost ran into the Fat Lady.
"Pixie Wings." Harry said the password that he had received from Professor McGonagall and the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open. Harry walked through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, where there were a lot of people still up and talking excitedly about the year ahead. Harry found Ron and Hermione sitting in a couple of chair in the corner and he rushed over to them.
"Harry where have you been? We got he and you weren't anywhere to be found." Asked Hermione. Harry looked at her and smiled.
"I was talking to Dumbledore that's all." Said Harry. Harry told them what Professor Dumbledore told him and then he remembered what happened before he entered Dumbledore's office. He told them about Professor Snape and Professor Smith's little conversation he had over heard.
"Professor Smith knows Professor Snape?" Was all that Ron could say. Hermione gave him a sideways glance before speaking herself.
"Harry I am sorry about Cassandra. I wish I could of meet her." She smiled at Harry and Harry smiled back, but Ron was still is a state of shock.
"Professor Smith knows Professor Snape?" He said again. Both Harry and Hermione look at him with odd expressions.
"It looks like it, Ron." Said Harry
"That would explain why he doesn't hate her, like he has hated all the other Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I hope she is a good teacher. I wish Lupin could of came back. I don't care it he is a werewolf." Ron looked at Harry and Hermione with their odd expressions. "What?" Hermione shook her head at Ron and then spoke.
"The thing I want to know is how does Snape know Professor Smith, and how do they both know about Cassandra."
"I don't know." Said Harry as he noticed that they were the last people still awake. "Well it is getting late and tomorrows our first day. I think I am going to bed." They all stood up and went up to their dormitories. As Harry and Ron entered the fifth year boys' dormitory they happily noticed that all of the fifth year boys had come back and not stayed at home. Neville Longbottom was snoring in his four-poster, Dean Thomas was dreaming about Quidditch in his four-poster, and Seamus Finnigan was sleeping soundlessly in his. Harry and Ron climbed into their beds and fell asleep quickly
The next morning Harry got up a little late and went downstairs for breakfast. He got there just in time to grab a piece of toast and follow Ron and Hermione to their first class, Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. Harry like Herbology, it was one of the classes that he wasn't bored to death, yelled at or had no idea what he was doing. This class was taught by the stout witch who lead the first years across the lake the day before, Professor Sprout, she was showing the class a really nasty look flower called Totallia, when the bell rang for the next class.
Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors made their way to the History of Magic class, which was taught by their only ghost teacher, Professor Binns, whose voice could put anyone to sleep. Professor Binns droned on and on reviewing medieval witch burnings and all of the class, except Hermione was just about to fall asleep when the bell sounded loudly for lunch. Harry was glad that it was lunch, because the piece of toast he had that morning wasn't enough to get him through History of Magic and now is stomach was growling. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat talking about things and eating as much food as possible when they noticed that they had Care of Magical Creature next.
"I wonder how well Professor Callahan teaches the class. He didn't really look like he could handle some of the creature we have seen." Ron said.
"Yeah, but Ron you have admit, not many other people could either." Hermione said, Harry knew what she was talking about, Hagrid, their usual Care of Magical Creatures teacher, had a fascination which monster. They had meet the third headed dog, that he bought off an Irish fellow, their first year, along with Norbert the Dragon he tried to rise in his small wooden hut on the edge of the forest, among other strange creatures throughout the years. "Where is the class going to be, Ron? Is it still by Hagrid's hut or are we in a classroom this year?" Hermione asked Ron. Ron looked down at the paper and back up quickly.
"Still by Hagrid's hut." Said Ron. The three of them were finished with their lunch they head towards Hagrid's hut a little early. When they got their they saw Professor Callahan running around making sure everything was in the right place for his first class. As Harry, Ron and Hermione walked up to Professor Callahan, he didn't even notice them. Harry took a step toward
"Professor..."
"Aaahhhh." Professor Callahan jumped and them looked at them. "Oh my dear, you frighten me there." He took a deep breath. "Please don't sneak up on me like that."
"Err, Professor I'm sorry. Just wanted to know if you need any help." Said Harry with a half smile.
"What? Oh no... no." He looked around at the little boxes that were scattered across the grass. "I have everything under control." A few minutes later, Professor Callahan was still running around from box to box nervously as the rest of the class walked down to where Harry, Ron and Hermione stood. They had Care of Magical Creature with the Slytherins and that was the one thing Harry ever hated about the class, except sometimes the Creature Hagrid paraded in front of them. Harry turned and saw Malfoy and his two goons walking down the hill.
"Potter! Looks like they got ridge of that half giant freak of yours." Malfoy laughed coldly, but Harry just ignored them. When they were all there Professor Callahan began the lesson.
"Good you are all here. Today I am going to show you a rather interesting creature. This creature is half plant and half animal. I already spoke with Professor Sprout and she told me that you guys are not going to cover this particular creature in her class, so I decide that I will. This Creature is called the Alagorious Flower. It is like the Venus Fly Trap but much, much more furious. You will have to watch you fingers around these flowers." He smiled and then picked up a box and underneath it was a very beautiful flower that looked kind of like a rose sitting in a flowerpot. Professor Callahan pulled out a dead rat from his pocket and threw it at the ground next to it. Then something shocking happened, the flower open what looked like its mouth, and it had hundreds of little sharp teeth, and violently grabbed the death rat, then began to eat it. Everyone jumped back a couple of feet. "For the rest of the term we will be learning how to care for these creatures and you will get full scores it ours is still alive at the end of the term."
When the class was finally finished Harry, Ron and Hermione were done for the day and they gladly walked back up to their common room, collapsed into chairs when they reach it. "I think all Care of Magical Creature teacher love monsters, not just Hagrid." Ron squeaked and they all laughed. The week was almost end when on Friday they had double Defense Against the Dark Arts and double Potions; Harry wasn't looking forward to it.
Friday morning found Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindors sitting in their first Defense Against the Dark Arts of the year. Professor Smith was about five minutes late, but when she came a cold breeze seemed to enter the class with her. She was dressed in black robes that made her pale sink look even paler. Her icy eyes wandered over the class looking at everyone then she glance at a piece of parchment. "Good. Everyone is here." Her slow cold voice gave Harry the chills. "I am sorry for my lateness but I was in a conversation with Professor Snape about a certain potion. Well this year we are going to learn about magical Amulets and Talismans that defends you again dark spell and enchantments, and towards the end of the year we will review everything you have had over the last four years, and I will correct any mistakes your other teachers taught you." Hermione smiled hard at Professor Smith has she went on.
"Does any of you know of a particular amulet or Talisman that will defend you against a dark attack?" asked Professor Smith and to no ones surprise Hermione's hand was held high in the air. "Mrs.... ah... Granger."
"Yes. There is the Rose Stone." Said Hermione with a smile.
"Yes a very common Talisman. The Rose Stone, when held in the right hand is very affective against dark enchantment in duels." She said as she unlocked a trunk in the corner of the room, which as full of different types of amulets and talismans, and pulled out a dark red stone which seemed to look like a flower. "This is a Rose Stone. It feels warm to the touch." She handed it to Neville Longbottom and then added. "And you cannot break it by dropping it." Just then Neville tried to hand it to the Dean Thomas who was sitting next to him, but dropped it.
Harry thought of the oddest thing. That was the second time that he noticed, that Professor Smith had known someone before it happened. He whispered his suspicion to Ron and Ron just looked at him, "Don't be silly Harry. You're just a little suspicion since the other night and anyway everyone knows that Neville will drop whatever he is giving." Ron said, and then turned his attention back to Professor Smith. Was he being silly, or did he have reason to believe that Professor Smith could see the future? Harry thought about it but his attention was brought back to the class as Professor Smith asked if someone knew another amulet or talisman. Hermione's hand into the air one more time, but Professor Smith didn't choice her.
"Why don't we have someone else give one? Okay." Hermione's hand came back down slowly, but no one else would raise their hand. "Oh come on. You are not telling me that none of you know any." To Harry's, and almost everyone else in the class, surprise Ron raised his hand. "Yes. Mr. Weasley?"
"I am not sure if this is actually one or if my brothers were joking with me, but the unicorn tear." Said Ron, to everyone's surprise.
"Yes the unicorn tear is a blue stone shape in a tear. There is only one own to exist. This particular stone has the able to heal all wounds and it also makes the person who wears it immortal, but there is only one caught gentlemen, only women can wear it." All the girls in the class started to giggle. The rest of the class went by quickly, everyone seemed to love Professor Smith as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Everyone started to pack up and leave as a big black dog trotted into the room. When everyone but Harry had left, Professor Smith started to walk out of the classroom, but stopped next to the dog. "Sirius." She said to him disdainfully and the dog watched her as she left. Harry went to the door and closed it so that Sirius could turn into human form and when he did, Harry started to ask him all the questions that were floating around in his head.
"Sirius! Where have you been?" Harry hugged Sirius. "Do you know Professor Smith?" Sirius laughed a little.
"Do I know Alex? Does anyone know Alex would be a better question? She keeps to herself a lot. She went here the same year as your father and I, she was in Slytherin House and was the only friend Snape really had. There was a rumor floating around school that she was a vampire, because no one every really saw her outside and with everything else about her... Well they helped the rumor around." Sirius shuttered for a second. "She always gave your father and I the creeps. There is something very odd about her. It sometimes seems that she could tell the future, but then sometimes she can't." Sirius laughed nervously and then noticed what time I was. "I think you should be getting into the Great Hall for lunch before potions." He said and then turned back into a dog. Harry opened the door and the large dog walked him all the way to the doors of the Great Hall.
Harry found Ron and Hermione towards the end of the Gryffindor's table and joined them, but he really wasn't hungry as he thought about what Sirius just told him. On their way to Potions Harry told Ron and Hermione about Professor Smith. They were discussing it we they stopped just outside the potions classroom. Snape was yelling at someone who was in the classroom with him. "I think Dumbledore should have kicked you three out before you arrived this year, but here you are making more trouble. You will leave Professor Smith alone or you will be kicked out. If I heard you doing anything to her again I will do it. I don't care who your fathers' are or who they serve. I am the head of Slytherin house and I can kick you out..." Snape was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"But Professor, what if I let it slip to say Harry Potter about what you have burned into you arm right now." Malfoy threaten Snape. "You know that I would do it, you traitor."
"How dare you. I don't care what you do. It won't make a difference, except get you expelled from Hogwarts and who would want you then, not being proper wizard and all. Besides..." Snape stop as he heard the noisy crowd of Gryffindors walking down the corridor for the Potions class. Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were all looking at each other, didn't move until the rest of the Gryffindors got closer. They stepped into the classroom to see Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle sitting in seat at the front of the class Professor Snape was standing by his desk, with an angry look on his face, and Professor Smith standing behind him. She saw the three of them and headed for the door then stopped and stood next to Harry.
"Don't say a word about that." She whispered then walked out the door as the rest of the Gryffindors walked into. Harry, Ron and Hermione look at each in shock. How could she have known they were listening?