"Well, what do you think?" asked Gandalf, standing before Arwen and Legolas, and spreading his arms wide.
Arwen cocked her head.
"It's quite majestic." she said simply.
Legolas bit his lip.
"It looks a bit drafty."
Arwen rolled her eyes. "It's a castle, my friend. All castles are drafty. . . aren't they, Gandalf?"
Gandalf turned back around to face Hogwarts Castle and smiled broadly.
"Not this one, my young elves. Not this one."
Arwen and Legolas slowly walked up to where Gandalf was standing and looked at the castle from his point of view.
"It was very generous of Headmaster Dumbledore to give us a tour, especially with the school being closed to the students for the summer and all." said Arwen slowly and somewhat suspiciously.
"Quite. I also think it is very generous of the Headmaster to allow us into the Forbidden Forest, even after we asked. With it being forbidden and all." Apparently, Legolas shared the feeling. However, Gandalf kept the senile old grin on his face as he and the elves approached the front gates of the castle.
"And wasn't it kind of him to give us the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, even after not doing a professional interview?" said Arwen.
"I'm starting to believe you don't entirely trust Dumbledore and I, could I be mistaken?" Gandalf asked innocently.
Arwen merely looked at him with a small smile and said;
"I trust the both of you with all my heart." she said sweetly.
Legolas rolled his eyes. "Yes, well, so do I, but that doesn't mean I believe everything they've told us."
Gandalf laughed, but replied with nothing.
As the three approached the main entrance of Hogwarts, something ominous set itself deep in the hearts of the two elves and the one wizard. It was a feeling of terror that had long been absent in their presence. . . it was the feeling of convalesce fleeing and danger returning. Arwen turned sharply to Gandalf and clutched at the old man's arm in fright, while Legolas instinctively reached for his bow and arrow, which he discovered to his own slight embarrassment were missing.
"Gandalf," Arwen began lowly, "I thought you said this was a new world."
Gandalf looked at her with the utmost seriousness.
"No, my dear. I said it was a new time. But. . some things can never change."
Without further delay, Gandalf raised his arm and knocked ever so gently on the great doors. His manner was so calm and cool, that it nearly frightened Arwen and Legolas even more than they were now. A huge thud was heard on the opposite side of the doors as Gandalf's knock echoed throughout the building, and with a slow creak, the doors opened somewhat.
A tall, lanky man with greasy hair and a twitching eye appeared.
In a sick turn of fear, Legolas burst out laughing when he saw the man. Partly because of the man's sudden and bewildering appearance, and partly because of the strange transition of emotions, from fear to bizarre hilarity.
The man glared at Legolas and let his shifty eyes move to Arwen and Gandalf.
"School's closed. Come back in August."
"I do apologize for not introducing myself immediately, good sir, but I am Gandalf Greyhearst, and this is Mrs. Cassandra Averill," he motioned to Arwen, still latched on his arm. "And Mr. Alexander Harrision." Legolas wiped the corny smile off of his face and registered a tall posture and aristocratic face.
The man examined the group a bit more closer before furtively opeing the door wider.
"Oh." he said gruffly, "The Headmaster's expecting you. This way."
"May I ask who you are, my good man?" asked Gandalf kindly and bravely.
The man paused, glaring feverently but less suspiciously.
"Filch. Professor Filch. Follow me."
As the three entered the main hall and the doors shut quietly behind them, it seemed a huge burden was pulled off of their shoulders. The fear was gone. Arwen's elven princess posture slouched in bewilderment as she sent Gandalf and Legolas a most confused look. It was like magic! Gandalf merely gave her a dark look, and gave her wrist a gentle pull in the direction that the surly Professor was leading.
The castle was too grand for words. Arwen and Legolas, who had seen much in their days, were somewhat impressed with the grandeur palace set before them. They passed through the Great Hall and above them, saw the dark cloudy skies beginning to sprinkle rain upon them.
Legolas frowned slightly at the skies as he walked with his head high to the ceiling.
"What troubles you, my boy?" asked Gandalf in a hushed whisper.
Legolas looked at him and sighed.
"I'm remembering, Gandalf. Simply remembering. . ." he said wistfully and softly.
Arwen and Gandalf sent each other worried looks, but decided to brush it off for the time being.
"Stay close, now, if you don't mind." said Filch dourly, not sounding at all apologetic. The group exited the hall and entered a massive corridor. The windows on the left were wide and arched, giving an almost surreal view to the great and wide forest beyond the Hogwart's lake. Legolas stopped dead in his tracks as he passed the first window and saw his first glance at the great wood. Gandalf, Arwen and Filch followed in his suit, looking at him with soft curiosity. Like a clock melting with the ages that it passed and counted, Legolas' face became limp with emotion, and a subtle, gentle tear slipped quietly down his soft face.
"Cousin?" asked Arwen, cautiously coming to his side.
Legolas swallowed loudly and turned to Arwen slowly with a smile that shook with emotion.
"I. . . I think I'm home. I think I'm home again."
They came at last to a most peculiar looking door, guarded by two large gargoyles. The three could tell it was Dumbledore's office by the way Professor Filch was suddenly becoming proper and respectful.
"If you'd kindly wait a moment outside, I will fetch the Headmaster."
Filch leaned over to one of the gargoyles and whispered something inaudible, throwing furtive glances at the three as he did so. The door suddenly became unlatched and revealed an oddly placed staircase. Just as Arwen and Legolas' eyes began to wander, Filch slammed the door shut and disappeared.
There was a moment of silence before Arwen and Legolas looked at each other and then at Gandalf.
"This is indeed a very peculiar school." said Legolas wistfully.
"Gandalf, I'm quite confused. . . Oh! I don't think I've ever been confused in my life, and that is what vexes me!" said Arwen in a very frustrated voice, putting her head down hopelessly. Legolas looked at her sympathetically, while Gandalf remained unreadable.
"I've always known what to do, or what not to do. With the exception of Luthien's choice. But now that we're here. . . now that I have all these new memories . . . and now that we're in this castle, I feel as if I'm back in-"
"All in good time, Cassandra. All in good time." said Gandalf, lifting Arwen's chin up with his hand. Before Arwen could ask any more of him, Dumbledore emerged from the mysterious door, followed immediately by Filch.
"Ah, my friends. I'm pleased you could have made it. I trust your journey was pleasant?"
Legolas smiled softly.
"Portkey is not my first choice of travel, Headmaster."
Gandalf laughed a bit at this and gave Dumbledore a wink.
"I'm afraid the boy has never quite gotten used to the ideas of Portkey and Apparition." he said.
"A small childhood phobia, if you will." said Legolas, with an odd smile on his face.
"Ah! Well, tis no matter. Now, let us proceed with the grand tour, on we go!"
They followed Gandalf outside to a long scenic walkway that led around the courtyard back inside the castle, and then down that hallway to a door left a quarter open.
"This is Minerva McGonnagall's classroom, forgive me, but she may be less than delighted to have visitors." said Dumbledore in a quiet tone.
He rapped gently on the door and called out softly;
"Minerva?"
"Busy, Albus!"
Gandalf leaned over to Legolas remained in listening range so as to let Arwen in on his advice.
"You've convinced Dumbledore who you are, but now his army will decide if you are fit for the task . . . of teaching, that is."
Legolas and Arwen looked at him as they had been looking at him the entire while.
"Minerva, I'd like you to meet some very special people, if you'd be so kind."
A heavy sigh.
"Oh, all right, come in."
Dumbledore opened the door fully, and revealed a small classroom to the three visitors, with a head desk at the front of the classroom and an elderly woman sitting behind it. She was in her mid fifties as it looked like to Arwen and Legolas, and she wore a prim pointed hat as well as dark navy robes with the Hogwarts insignia embroidered on the breast. Her old face reflected a stern woman; a woman who had seen much in her youth and experienced much in her elder years. Any visitor might have just seen an old teacher, sitting behind a desk, writing up new assignments and notes for her upcoming classes. . .but to Arwen and Legolas, she was an embodiment of all they had been through, and what they were about to face.
"Minerva, I'd like to introduce to you to our new Defense teachers,"
Professor McGonagall suddenly stood up and began eyeing the the three people quite peculiarly.
"All three of them?" she asked, a bit dazed.
Gandalf laughed.
"No, madam, only the two."
"Minerva, may I introduce you to Mrs. Cassandra Averill,"
Arwen came forward and shook McGonagall's hand firmly. "It is an honor, madam." said Arwen softly and at the same time showing respect. McGonagall's eyes rested for a long while upon Arwen, as if examining her thoroughly and curiously.
"Likewise, I am sure." she merely said, showing hints of being impressed.
"And this, is young Alexander Harrison."
Minerva's eye turned to Legolas after reluctantly leaving Arwen's face and suddenly, her face changed as though a light had suddenly been turned on. Professor McGonagall paused for a very long time as she gaped at Legolas' face. Dumbledore's face fell in a worry.
"Minerva?" he asked softly, his voice laced with concern.
McGonagall snapped out of daze softly and gave a faint chuckle.
"I do beg your pardon, young man."
Legolas looked at her patiently.
"Would you like to sit down?" he asked kindly.
"No, no thank you. . . I just had a brief episode of deja-vu. Have we met before?"
"I do not recall, madam. But my memory does seem to be playing tricks on me lately."
"Oh . . . how strange. I do beg your pardon, Albus."
Dumbledore nodded understandingly.
"I see. Well, this is Gandalf Greyhearst, a very, very old, and a very, very good friend of mine."
Minerva turned to Gandalf and nodded with a small smile.
"How do you do?"
"Well enough, for the morning. These old bones aren't what they used to be, my dear."
Minerva laughed and nodded, and a somewhat of an awkward silence followed.
"Oh, forgive me, how very rude, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I teach Transfiguration here at Hogwarts."
"Hmm. My worst subject." murmured Arwen.
"Indeed?" asked McGonagall, with a small smile.
Arwen laughed kindly.
"Oh Merlin, I was awful. I believe I once turned a horse into a bird."
Minerva was blank.
"What is so awful about that, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I was supposed to turn the horse into a table."
"Oh, that's not so bad. Why Professor Snape was the worst Transfiguration student in whole school when he was student."
Dumbledore gave a soft chuckle but gave Minerva a chiding tsk.
"Professor Snape. . . Snape. . .Snape, now where I have I heard that name?" asked Legolas earnestly, turning to Gandalf.
"I don't believe you have met him, quite yet, my boy." said Dumbledore. "Which reminds me, Minerva, if you will kindly excuse us, we must make a trip down to the dungeons."
"He teaches in the dungeons?" asked Arwen, aghast.
Minerva gave her a sardonic look.
"It is quite fitting for the Professor's outlook, Mrs. Averill."
"Minerva-"
Legolas and Arwen watched on in intense curiosity.
"Personally speaking, Professors, I would suggest you exert caution around the Potions Professor. He's a bit surly, and quite unkind to deal with when in a bad mood. He's one of Hogwart's best instructors, but his ways of teaching are a bit, shall we say-"
"Now, Minerva. You must remember what I told you and Professor Snape. Your quarreling isn't good for the student's to be witnessing."
Minerva opened her mouth to answer, but just as she did so, the door to her classroom was thrown open with a huge, thundering crash. Not acting the least bit surprised, Legolas (once again reaching for his non existing bow and arrow) and Arwen turned around swiftly, while Dumbledore and Gandalf took their time turning to see what all the commotion was about. At first, the two elves thought this man a giant of sorts; what with his long shaggy and unkept beard, his large brown eyes nearly glowing with panic and anxiety, and his huge frame. It was no surprise that the elves would think so at first glance, but then they realized who he was. He was the first to open the Chamber of Secrets. He was Hagrid, the Hogwarts Gamekeep, and he was quite important.
"Hagrid?" inquired Dumbledore deeply and expectedly.
"Professors. We've got ourselves an emergency." came the deep mighty voice from the larger than life man.
There was a beat of silence.
"Lead the way." said Dumbledore firmly, become nimble and brisk.
Gandalf and the two elves started to follow suite along with Minerva, but Dumbledore turned to them and opened his mouth to argue, but Legolas got there before him.
"What better way to show our experience in the Dark Arts?"
Arwen nearly punched him for being so cocky, but she decided to let it go and leave it to McGonnagall and Hagrid to give the incredulous looks.
Dumbledore looked at him with deathly seriousness before he slowly nodded.
"Come." he said simply.
On the edge of the Forbidden Forest was a debatable place. Debatable meaning here, whether it was safe or not. Inside the forest obviously was not, but on the edge, was Hagrid's hut, giving a sense of ambivalent caution. Outside once again, Arwen and Legolas immediately became uncomfortable, but they ignored it as long as though it didn't exist. Keeping on each side of Gandalf as he followed Dumbledore and Hagrid out, Legolas and Arwen looked at each other with uncertain eyes. But it was Arwen who felt the cold chills enter her spine. For as they came closer and closer to the wood, Arwen was beginning to sense that Legolas was not the only getting the feeling of deja-vu when seeing the forest. It felt home to her as well. But not in a comforting way.
Ahead of them, were two cloaked figures, Snape and McGonnagall. McGonangall had dashed off to the dungeons the minute Dumbledore had set out from her classroom, and informed Snape on the situation. Arwen and Legolas, wishing they could have met Snape on better events, calmly approached the two and stood tall and calm, while Hagrid began informing everyone.
"Three unicorns, I've found, dead as a door nail, this mornin'. And just ten minutes ago, Fang found another one show up dead."
"Any trace of blood missing?" asked McGonnagall.
Hagrid shook his head.
"No. It looks like they've just been killed off for sport."
"Looks like." murmured Arwen.
Snape's cold eyes rested on her and began examining her meticulously.
Arwen looked back and him in return and smiled to herself as she foresaw the outcome of this staring match. She'd learned from Galadriel how to scare off any old fool with a mere glance.
She looked at him with her dark blue eyes and let Snape's mind do the rest of the work.
Snape's eyes widened as he tilted his head with intense dislike and curiosity.
"All I found was these, mighty scary it is."
Hagrid held up two long, rusty, swords.
Beside her, Arwen felt Legolas stiffen. A cold chill shot down his spine and his fists clenched. Without realizing it, Legolas' eyes began searching wildly for any movement. He walked a few feet and began quickly circuling and pacing backwards and forwards. It was the first time he'd ever panicked like this, and it scared him that he did so. Arwen merely gaped at the swords in disbelief.
"Gandalf. . . " she murmured, like a child calling for his or her mother for dear life.
Gandalf, who stood next to her, took Arwen's hand and gave it a tight squeeze for reassurance.
"You must forgive Cassandra, she's got quite a fear of swords. Now, now, young lady, there's nothing to fear."
Gandalf leaned into her ear.
"Stay in character, my dear."
He pulled back and Arwen looked at him for a moment, before she recovered herself and recieved strength from his words.
"May I?" she asked Hagrid softly.
He looked at her a bit oddly for a moment before handing her one of the swords.
Arwen looked at it for a moment before holding it farther away from herself. The hilt was black, and inscribed on it was an eye. The Eye of Sauron, to be precise. The metal was hardly sturdy, but excellently welded. The tip was black with a straight line of ebony going from point to hilt. It was the sword of the Nazgul.
"Alexander." Arwen called, calmly, not taking her eyes off of the sword.
Legolas came behind her and felt a gush of cold air hit him in the face accompianed by a cold realization.
"Do you see what I see?" she asked softly.
Legolas nodded.
"Yes." he murmured.
"Two of them." she stated.
He paused, before looking at her.
"Two of us."
Arwen looked at him, and then at the sword.
"This morning, you say, Professor Hagrid?"
"Jus' Hagrid, madam. Yep, Fang star'ed up like a storm when 'e saw 'em. Couldn' hardly get the old boy away."
Arwen handed the sword back to Hagrid and frowned.
"It's obvious we're dealing with a sort of ruthless creature, but what sort of ruthless creature would simply kill a unicorn and not take the blood?" asked McGonnagall of Dumbledore.
"The answer, Professor, is the sort of animal that is cunning enough to 'play games'. If you will." said Snape, speaking up for the first time.
Arwen's eyes shifted to him darkly.
"Animal? Something that cunning is no animal, Professor."
"It's a phantom. . " murmured Legolas. No one heard him.
Snape looked at her as though she had just corrected him.
"I don't believe we've been introduced."
"No, we haven't." said Arwen.
A silence.
"Professor Snape, allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Cassandra Averill, and Mr. Alexander Harrison, our two new Professors of the Dark Arts." interjected Dumbledore seriously.
"A pleasure." said Snape in his most surly tone.
"All ours, I'm sure." said Legolas with a small pleasant smile.
"Look, Professors. Whatever it is, it's still out there." said Hagrid darkly, looking mostly at Dumbledore.
As if on cue, a terrible screech rang out from the forest. Birds scattered in panic and small creatures were heard shuffling and scampering away.
Legolas began breathing erratically as he looked on at the dim and dark forest.
"If I may be as so bold to inquire it of you, Headmaster." said Arwen, turning to Dumbledore. "Professor Harrison and I would like to explore the wood and try to uncover what has happened this morning."
Gandalf and Dumbledore looked at her blankly, while McGonnagall and Snape's jaws dropped.
"Professor Averill, I really wouldn't do that without knowing exactly what you're dealing with. Believe me." said McGonnagall seriously.
Snape looked at the Professors with so much disdain, he looked about to choke on it.
But Dumbledore merely stared at her with those sharp blue eyes. He was measuring them, weighing their confidence with actual ability. Comparing their wit with their common sense. He seemed to be on the verge of saying something to decline them of her request, but instead just looked on with thought.
"Do you know what you're dealing with, Professors?"
Legolas turned to him.
"If we are correct, then yes. Unfortunately, yes we do."
"I don't believe the question is really what they know what they're dealing with Professor Dumbledore, rather than, do they have the necessary resources to deal with it again." said Gandalf.
"You've got to be kidding me, Gandalf." said Legolas bluntly.
His response raised the eyebrows of everyone but Dumbledore and Gandalf.
"It's not a joking matter, Professor. Do you have your resources?"
Arwen and Legolas looked at each other a moment.
"Resources. . ." he said softly.
Bows. Arrows. Knives. Daggers. Swords. Horses-
"No." stated Arwen.
"Then I do not suggest diving into this matter without being armed with the necessary tools."
Professor Snape looked at the two Professors with the utmost distrust and dislike.
"Then there is nothing to be done here. . . at the moment."
"Albus, perhaps we should delay the first day of the semester, you know, just to be careful." said Minerva, looking worridly into the forest.
Dumbledore shook his head, looked at Gandalf for a moment, and then shook his head again.
"That won't be necessary. I'm quite faithful that my staff can deal with anything this year brings."
His eyes flashed momentarily to Snape, Arwen, and Legolas.
"But for the moment, I believe it is lunch time."