Chapter 2 - Settling in

When Juniper arrived at the gates of Hogwarts there was someone already waiting for him, but it wasn't a human companion, instead it was his messenger and at times companion, a large black raven named Grim. Grim waiting for his master on the round stone pillar which marked the beginning of the Hogwarts school grounds, hopping from one clawed foot to the other as it was so cold.

"That's your trouble for going on ahead of me," he told the bird harshly. "You could freeze to death out here you silly bird." Yet he still held out his hand and allowed Grim to land neatly on it, ruffling his oil coloured feathers, a mixture of blacks, blues and greens, almost in retaliation for his master's sharp words.

"Now you look like you've been for a roll in a hedge," Juniper laughed, smoothing down Grim's puffed up feathers and soothing the indignant bird with a scarp of food he pulled out of his pocket and watched as he gobbled it down.

Together the pair trudged wearily up towards the huge wooden doors which were adorned each side by two flaring torches, the crackling sound almost homely as Juniper marched up and banded upon the knocker forcibly.

"Hullo," he called. "Anyone home?"

There was no answer but he heard some bolds being drawn back and catches lifted and just as he stepped back the two giant doors swung smoothly inwards, allowing him access inside. Just past the threshold Juniper could see a few people waiting for him on the top of a small flight of steps and he was glad he had finally reached the end of his journey.

Taking a deep breath, for to be perfectly honest with himself, Juniper was a little apprehensive about starting his new job, but not only that, the reception he would get because of who he was, or maybe that should have been, who he wasn't, he trudged inside, leaving behind him pools of snowy water on the smooth stone floor.

"Hartily!" A voice called as he entered and the doors magically closed shut behind him, each bold redrawing itself and protecting those inside from the chill winter.

"Yes, finally here," he responded, hauling his pack off.

"Well if you do insist in making your own way and not having anyone come to collect you, it will take time," another voice remarked, sharper than the first and with an unwelcoming sneer.

Ah, so it had started.

"Forgive me, I have some strange whims as I'm sure we all do about certain things," he shrugged. "And you would of course know all about that, now wouldn't you, Tristram."

The two men eyed each other. There was obviously some history between the two and the one calling himself Tristram was obviously not very pleased to see Juniper at all. In fact his reception had been almost as frosty as the air outside. But then Tristram Vash wasn't one for pleasantries. As current tutor for Defence Against the Dark Arts, he took his role within Hogwarts very seriously and if the truth be known, felt his position somewhat threatened by Hartily, although he would never admit it. He had heard the reports from the Ministry. Some said he was only at Hogwarts so they could keep an eye on him, but then, with children around....it didn't make sense, but then Juniper always had been a bit of an enigma.

"Errr, well we really should be getting on, I'm sure Professor Hartily is tired from his long journey" the original speaker said hastily, wanting to diffuse the tension which had suddenly increased within the room. "I'm Derrian Ligtworth, Head of Hufflepuff House. I was instructed to come meet you and make sure you settled in alright."

"Thanks," Juniper replied, his steel blue eyes flashing an amused sneer in Tristram's direction. "Most obliged to you."

"If you'd like to follow me then," Derrian smiled tentatively. "Dinner's about to be served so if you'd like me to take your bag we can...."

"No...it's okay, I'll take it," Juniper said hastily as Derrian reached out a hand to take it.

"Just show me to my room, that will be fine, then I will come down for dinner, I am extremely hungry. In fact we both are."

He gestured with a smile towards Grim who cawed loudly.

"Ohhh....alright," Derrian agreed, a little put out. "This way then."

Juniper was led up to the Professors' quarters and into a medium sized room with a window overlooking the snowy hills and vales of the school's grounds and the Quidditch arena, the flags now taken in and the whole place looking rather forlorn and colourless. He plonked his bag down on the bed then pressed down to test the springs. They met his standards and he quickly shrugged off his wet travelling garments, hoping to make himself look presentable enough for dinner.

Under his winter garments Juniper wore mostly black and a dark shade of a charcoal grey, small silver buckles around the wrists of his jacket and down the chest. The top few clasps remained undone, revealing a white ruffled shirt underneath. His legs were slender and his trousers tapered down towards a pair of fine leather boots which were also adorned with silver-work. They had to be sturdy for all the walking he had been doing.

Quickly looking at his reflection in the mirror, Juniper decided he would pass, and headed back out the door to where Derrian was waiting to escort him to dinner. Grim had already flown off somewhere at his masters biding to go find himself some food, Derrian assuring the other wizard that the owls would surely wouldn't mind sharing...too much.

The Great Hall was already filled with rows of hungry students when the two men walked in and took their places on the raised platform at the front, reserved for members of staff, all of the benches empty, waiting for the word of the Head Master with eagre eyes and rumbling bellies. Above them, snow fell but disappeared before it could touch their heads and to keep out the bleak winter evening, a roaring fire was being kept well lit and played shadows across the cold stone walls, flicking and frolicing.

Seeing everyone was finally seated, Dumbledore stood up and walked over to the podium, addressing the students with a few messages which were not especially of any importance, but what did get them interested was when he announced that there was a new tutor joining them.

"I am pleased to welcome to Hogwarts, Professor Juniper Hartily," Dumbledore said, gesturing at Juniper, who felt obliged to stand ad make himself known. "He is to take over a few substitute classes but will mainly be seen by the older students for Duelling classes. I trust that you will all make him welcome and be as courteous to him as you are all other members of staff here. I am sure you will find Professor Hartily and excellent tutor, his experience in his field far outreaching any others. We are very lucky and privileged to have him with us."

The students clapped and Juniper nodded, thinking Dumbledore's praise not really worthy of him, but then he never thought of himself as being any better or any worse than anyone else. He just did his job and happened to be good at it.

But other things, like food, were on his mind and as soon as it appeared, he tucked in heartily.

From across the table he could see Tristram catch his eye and glare moodily. He smiled in response, tipping his full glass at him. He was enjoying taunting Tristram when he felt a light touch on his arm and was forced to turn round to see who had caught his attention.

"It's nice to meet you Professor Hartily, I don't believe we were introduced, my name's Seraphina Reed."

Juniper was a little taken aback, he had completely failed to notice the young witch who had been sitting next to him all this while, it wasn't like him to miss such a charming woman, and said as much to her face.

Seraphina blushed, and at the use of her full name, told him to call her Sera, as it was shorter and easier to remember and everyone else did.

"You already know mine," he replied. "Sadly I had no choice in picking it."

"I think it's a fine name."

"Thank you," he said gratefully, admiring her own deep brown eyes and soft auburn hair, the ends curling about her shoulders as she moved her head. She was by no means bewitchingly beautiful, but rather plain, yet had a warmth that countered her dullness. Her smile was enough to cheer a room, and Juniper was only more than happy to talk to her, as he knew that looks certainly weren't everything.

"What do you do?" He asked, meaning what subject did she teach.

"Herbology," she replied, "And potions sometimes."

"Oh, I'm impressed," Juniper replied, passing her some fresh warm bread as it appeared in a small basket by his plate. "You sound a very interesting colleague, I'm sure I could learn a lot about proper wizarding from you."

She laughed, "And you don't know any yourself."

"I'm a duellist, I know a little of everything and nothing of much," he replied in an amused tone, although in his words were a tinge of regret.

"Very.....romantic though," she said with a slight blush.

Juniper gave her one of his best smiles. "I am more than obliging to teach you some of the 'tricks' of the trade if you ever feel the need. My door is always open."

She giggled, but put her hand over her mouth quickly as she also received a sharp look from Tristram. The Professors were supposed to set an example to the students.

The meal ended eventually and Juniper was sure that if he ate that well every day he would have to find a spell to stop him from putting on weight. Thanking everyone for their hospitality, he made his excuses to retire to his room. It was his first day tomorrow and he wanted to make sure he was up for the challenge of the day ahead of him. Grim had returned and was waiting in his room, perched on the end of the bed as Juniper walked in, full and satisfied. He fondly caressed the bird's head then pulled off his shirt and jacket, laying them on the chair, before undressing completely and slipping in between the covers of the bed. They were fresh and new and smelt like lavender and Juniper groaned contentedly as he relaxed back into the pillows, closing his tired eyes.

"Ergh, stupid me," he murmured suddenly, sitting back up and reaching over to his jacket. He pulled his wand out from the inside pocket and lay it on the bedside table next to his glass of water.

"Better," he said and this time closed his eyes and drifted off into peaceful slumber, content in the knowledge that his wand was close at hand and tomorrow...well tomorrow would be a brand new day.