Disclaimer: I do not own anything created by JK Rowlings or WB's Charmed. I do own the plot line and Payton Trudeau though.
Chapter 4: Introductions
Payton was amazed at how much she had learned already. She had only just begun classes and even though she had her wand from her days at Beauxbatons, she had never had so many practical lessons before. Beauxbatons had Payton focus more on her natural powers and magical theory than on wand work. She was worried she was doing something wrong because while she had the gist of wand work down, she wasn't comfortable with the wand in her hand. Even Professor McGonagall had commented in Transfiguration how Payton's wand just didn't seem to fit her. Payton asked Ginny how she choose her wand and Ginny just laughed "you don't choose your wand silly, your wand chooses you." Then Ginny went on to describe the experience she had when she first got her wand. Ginny had explained how Mr. Ollivander had given her several wands to try but the moment when her wand entered her hand, she felt a warm connection. Then, Ginny flicked her wand gracefully and it glowed every so slightly. Payton began to get worried. She wasn't sure why the wand maker that had come to Beauxbatons said this wand would work for her because she hadn't had any of the experiences Ginny had. She vowed to talk to Professor McGonagall later about how she could connect with her wand but for now it was off to her first Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Even before Payton entered the room Phoebe got an uneasy yet exciting feeling in her stomach. According to her roster, her niece was in this next class of fourth and fifth years. Phoebe wondered if she would be able to identify Payton from the first moment or if she wouldn't know her until she called roll. Suddenly, there was a tapping on her window, which brought her out of her daze. A brown and white polka dotted owl was gently tapping on her window. Phoebe stood up and walked over to let it in. She had been up to Hogwart's owlery before but she hadn't seen an owl such as this before. The owl hooted lightly and landed on her desk. Phoebe then noticed the note attached to the owl's leg. The Sisters Triquetra stood out in red wax against the white paper and Phoebe sought to rip it open, desperate for news from home. Try as she might, she was unable to break the seal, then it came to her and she chanted "The Power of Three will set you Free." Instantly, the seal broke and Phoebe began to read...
Dearest Phoebe,
I am glad to see you were able to get the letter open, I knew it would come to you if you thought long enough. Since this is a very sensitive document I wanted to ensure only you could open it. Therefore, I cast a Charmed Ones spell so that only one of the three of us may open it. I have been doing some research of my own at Magic School while Paige teaches classes and Wyatt is in kindergarten. Chris is such a sweet baby; I wish you could see how much he has grown. He sleeps most of the time and I am very lonely in the manor by myself since Leo is off on a vengeance spree. (More about that later.) Anyway, it seems that there was a prophecy made around the time of Voldemort's demise that may be of some use to you. I must say, it is very confusing to me because I just can't see how it is possible, but then again I am unable to process this type of information, like you, which is why I am passing it along. Paige and I both agree that you are the best suited to decipher it. We miss you and hope to hear from you soon.
On the day the Dark Lord was overcome, there arose a new Charmed One.
A daughter of the Sisters Three, sent to aid the chosen one and set the wizarding world free.
Same as the rest, she will be blessed with natural powers to endure her tasks.
And with his help she'll come to know, what her past, present, and future holds.
All My Love,
PiperPS Hogwarts is apparently protected from orbing inside as well. Paige and Leo have both tried but are unable to do so. We will try and visit you soon by some means.
Phoebe was shocked at Piper's findings and resolved to go to Dumbledore as soon as she had a break in her schedule but for now, it was time for her to begin her class.
As she walked out of her office and down the steps, she looked around the classroom; some of the students were still filing in, as the second bell had not yet rung. As Phoebe's eyes scanned the room, they fell on one girl in particular. This has to be her, Phoebe thought. She has the same coloring, held herself with the same confidence and poise as her late sister, and there was no mistaking Andy's eyes on the young girl's face. Phoebe felt her own eyes begin to water but she pushed back her own feelings of grief and cleared her throat for the students attention as the last bell rang.
"Hello everyone and welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts, I am your new teacher, Professor Phoebe Halliwell." Phoebe looked at Payton as she said this hoping for a flicker of recognition from the girl's eyes, but Payton had sat still waiting for Phoebe to continue.
"Some of you may be wondering why the classes are structured differently this year and I would like to take a moment to explain it to you. Please hold all of your questions until I am done," Phoebe asked as Hermione Granger's hand slowly fell to her side.
"To begin with you will notice that we are primarily split into grades this year rather than houses for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Since Voldemort's return, (A large intake of breath could be heard from the student body as Phoebe said his name. Harry Potter looked up quite surprised as this was the first teacher besides Dumbledore that dared to speak Voldemort's name or even address his return to the students) there will be slight changes in curriculum to enable the students to be better prepared for the difficulties ahead. While I know, the fifth years will take their O.W.L.s at the end of this year, I believe these two grades are some of the most important students to focus on. Sixth and seventh years are in class together as are first and second years because they are either too old or too young to be taught some of the practical methods I will be addressing in this classroom. Not to worry though, there will also be quite a bit of research and book knowledge needed as well." Phoebe smiled as she saw Hermione's shoulders relax. "Now I will be handing out a syllabus which will detail the information we will cover as well as homework, group and individual projects, and practical examinations. Please review them quietly before I open the floor up to questions." Phoebe chanted under her breath "distribute the papers to the students swiftly, so they may see their work in its entirety."
Suddenly, the students syllabi were strewn all over their desks for them to examine. Payton was taken back as to the professor's means of distributing their work. This was her first time at Hogwart's where a teacher had used natural magic instead of wand magic. Hermione, Harry, and Ron seemed to notice it as well as she could hear them questioning how the teacher had done it. Payton wondered if her newest teacher was telekinectic but quickly turned her head down to her paper when Phoebe looked up and caught her eyes. After the students had had their syllabi for about ten minutes, Phoebe addressed the students. "OK, it has been about ten minutes, you may continue to read over your work, however, I am opening up the floor to questions at this time."
Immediately, Hermione's hand flew into the air. "Yes, Hermione Granger, is it?" Hermione nodded. "What is your question?" Phoebe inquired.
"Well I have two: first, how did you distribute our papers without your wand and secondly, can you tell us some background on yourself?" Hermione clasped her hand over her mouth and turned a slight shade of pink as she realized she was just very abrupt with a teacher.
Phoebe laughed gently, "that's ok, Hermione, I don't mind answering your questions although I will go into more detail with your first question later on it the year. First of all, has anyone ever heard of the Charmed Ones?"
A few hands went up including Payton, Ginny, and Hermione's. Phoebe was instantly on edge, so Payton has heard of us before, that may make this either easier or harder, Phoebe thought. "Ok, Miss Ginevra Weasley, what do you know of them?" Phoebe asked Ginny.
Ginny laughed and said, "actually, it's Ginny, if you don't mind. And the Charmed Ones are a famous bloodline of witches culminating in the most recent birth of three sisters, said to be the most powerful of their line."
"Very good, anything else?" Phoebe asked the class. Hermione and Payton were the only two with their hands still in the air. "Hermione, what else do you know about them?" Phoebe questioned.
"Well, they are said to possess strong magical skills and natural gifts, such as telekinesis, astral projection, temporal stasis, molecular combustion, premonitions, empathy, and levitation. They live in the Muggle World and their fighting is done on a more demonic playing field rather than in the wizarding world. And since they are American, I am guessing you are probably one of them." Hermione finished in half a whisper.
Phoebe instantly turned her eyes from Hermione's to Payton's to see if this news affected the young girl. It seemingly did not. However, Payton's hand was still in the air, having more to add to Hermione's assessment. "Yes, Payton Trudeau, you have something more to add."
Payton nodded and said, "They live in San Francisco, California in a house they call the manor. It is located on a spiritual nexus of great power. It is said they are aided by past generations and whitelighters on their path but most importantly, they have an entire book which holds all of their spells, their nemesis's, and their powers are derive from it." Payton looked back up at Phoebe as if to say that was all. It seemed Hermione was both infuriated that someone had known more than her but also intrigued by these new revelations.
Phoebe paused a moment and started off "indeed you all have given the class a factual, and I must say, impressive overview of the Charmed Ones. Hermione, you are correct, I am a Charmed One, however, I was recently stripped off my active powers which is why I jumped at the chance to teach all of you when Professor Dumbledore asked me. The Charmed Ones are three sisters who live in San Francisco, California and come from a long line of powerful good witches. My sisters and I received our powers when we were much older than all of you and we don't work with wands. We fight demons, warlocks, and other beings that try to hurt innocents. We have worked with many magical creatures in the past and we are the strongest when we are together. Other than that, I think you covered everything else. However, you should know I retain my power to spell cast without a wand. However, our spells have to be done in poetry schemes and so I will be working on my wand work as well with another faculty member so I am able to teach you the magic you need to know for the class. One other thing I did not mention is that I am a highly skilled martial artist and I have gotten permission from Professor Dumbledore to create an extra-curricular class for anyone interested in learning. It's great exercise. Anyone who is interested, please sign the sheet at my desk before you leave. Otherwise, class dismissed."
Most of the students stayed in their seats just conversing about having a Charmed One for a teacher. They were amazed and since the bell hadn't rang yet, they decided to talk here rather than in the halls. Payton looked over at Ginny and they both nodded as they stood up to put their names on the martial arts list. It sounded like a lot of fun. Ron watched as the two walked over and decided to get up himself. After all, a little activity outside of Quidditch couldn't hurt and he was trying to figure out a way to get to know Payton a little better. For some reason, he seemed really drawn to her but he couldn't quite explain it.
"Oh, are you going to sign up too, Ron? Would you mind writing my name down?" Hermione asked. "Since Harry is going to have extra lessons with Dumbledore this year, I think I would like to try something new too."
"Yeah, sure." Ron said as he walked to the front of the class. He was hoping to distance himself from Harry and Hermione a bit but it seemed that wasn't going to happen. He knew if Hermione were in the class with just him, she would want to be his partner. Maybe he could ask Ginny for a little help with that, but he would have to think of a good excuse, he didn't want his sister to know he was interested in getting to know Payton better.