Chapter 20 - A strange new teacher..

Professor McGonagal approached the front of the hall with a stool and the sorting hat. Everyone in the hall watched the hat with baited breath. The tear in its brim opened and it began to sing.

"Last year a warning I did give And now I give another Dark times have fallen, now my friends And we must band together I urge you all, despite your house To become friends once more Dependable, reliable As the founders were once before Though you may belong to Hufflepuff, Whos nature is loyal and true Befriend your fellow students Is advice I give to you You may belong to Ravenclaw Where knowledge is the key But without the other houses What use will knowledge be You may belong in Gryffindor,

The bravest of the four But without protecting the other 3 What are you fighting for? You may belong in slytherin, Where the cunning will fit in But over darkness, only with The others will you win So band together, I do say And all together strive For united we stand, divided we fall Against the evil in our lives"

There was a murmur among the students, but it died down as the first name was called.

"Abraham, John"

"RAVENCLAW"

A burst of applause sounded from the Ravenclaw Table as the boy made his way over.

"Anthmar, Rowena"

"SLYTHERIN"

"Blaise, Antonia"

"SLYTHERIN"

"Bones, Henry"

"HUFFLEPUFF"

Harry watched the ceremony curiously. It was not until the M's that any of the new students were sorted into Gryffindor.

"Marks, Brooke"

"GRYFFINDOR"

The Gryffindor table burst into applause as the first Gryffindor of the first years made her way over to their table.

Harry watched as other first years were sorted. Maythar, James; Natts, Anthony; Plank, Natalie; Sebini, Jonas and Sebini, James; Tanner, Bradley; Taylor, Angela and Vicker, Mildred were the other first years that were sorted into Gryffindor. There were 2 people left standing at the front of the hall and Harry sat on the edge of his seat to get a better view. They were the two first years he had met at the station.

"White, Andrew" Professor McGonagal called out.

The hat was placed over his head and everyone waited patiently for the hat to yell out the house. Up until now, the hat had called out immediately for every person. This was a surprise, as the time usually differed from person to person, but this was the first time that night that the hat took time in deciding.

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat yelled after a few minutes.

Harry couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but shook it off as Katie was called up. The sorting hat took its time with her also. After careful deliberation, the hat finally made its decision

"GRYFFINDOR!"

After the applause had finally died down, Professor Dumbledore stood up to make his address. The students waited restlessly, wanting to get on with the feast.

"Just a few start of term notices. We have with us a number of new teachers this year. Professor Vector, our previous arithramancy teacher, resigned last year to persue some personal goals, and our new arithramancy teacher is Professor Vertex"

There was a polite applause as a man Harry hadn't noticed before stood up from the head table and glanced around at the faces.

"Secondly, Professor Sinistra has unfortunately left our staff also and will be replaced by Professor Constall"

The tall man in the bright robes stood up for a moment as the students applauded and sat down when the applause died away.

"Thirdly, our care of magical creatures has taken a temporary leave of absence in order to deal with family issues" Dumbledore said, looking at Harry with a slight twinkle in his eye. "Our usual substitute teacher for care of magical creatures, Professor Grubly Plank, has taken a teaching position at another school and therefore our new care of magical creatures will be Professor Newfer"

The younger man that Harry had seen at the station stood up as they all applauded. Harry sat on the edge of his seat and tried to see the DADA teacher. The cloak that they were wearing was still wrapped firmly around them.

"And as you will all know, Professor Umbridge" Dumbledore said the name flatly and Harry knew that it still bothered him that she had become a Professor at all. "Is no longer teaching here, she will be replaced by Professor Helsing"

There was an applause, as there had been for each of the other teachers, but it stopped short as the figure rose up and took off the cloak that was covering her.

Her skin was pale, like the finest white porcelain. She was the palest person that Harry had ever met. In fact, next to Snape, she made him look like he had a suntan. Her hair was raven black and her eyes were nearly as black. But the thing that startled the students most was how young she looked. She looked like she was old enough to be in her 6th or 7th year, not nearly old enough to teach a class. But her eyes radiated a wisdom similar to Dumbledore's. A wisdom that can only be achieved through age and experience.

She was holding her wand as if expecting someone to attack her as she looked over the students. When she looked in Harry's direction their eyes locked for a moment and Harry felt pain sear through his scar. He doubled over, eyes streaming against the burning in his head. He was oblivious to everything that was going on around him until he heard someone cry out

"Finite connetatum"

The spell hit him directly in the head and the pain in his scar vanished immediately. Harry saw that many people at the table were giving him strange looks and the others were looking up towards the head table. He looked over also to see who had cast the spell and saw that the new DADA teacher still had her wand pointed straight at him.

She looked down at him for a moment before shifting her gaze to Dumbledore. Harry glanced up at the headmaster in time to see him give her a reassuring smile and nod. She then sat down and Dumbledore announced the start of the feast. Harry was a little confused about what had just happened, but he couldn't catch Dumbledore's eye. The other Gryffindor's quickly forgot about the scene as they began to eat. Ron and Hermione didn't forget though. The food lay forgotten for the moment as they began their line of questioning

After Harry had assured them that he was not holding out on them, and that he had no idea what had just happened, Hermione and Ron finally laid off and began eating their dinner, but continually shot him nervous or suspicious glances throughout the meal. Harry sighed and picked at his food. He was too confused about what had just occurred to be hungry. He looked up at the head table a few times during the meal.

He noticed that he was not the only one who was not eating. Professor Helsing seemed to have no appetite either. She watched Harry continually, which unnerved him and made the hairs on his neck stand up. Something about her made him feel uneasy. He looked over to Professor Dumbledore, but he did not seem to think that there was anything amiss. The only person at the head table who seemed remotely to confirm what he was feeling inside was Professor Snape, and Harry knew that Snape probably only hated her because he longed for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position. Harry sighed, shaking his head to try and rid himself of the thoughts that were swirling around his head and making him dizzy. He consoled himself with the thought that the new teacher couldn't be anywhere near as bad as Professor Umbridge from his previous year. Harry smiled slightly at this thought.

Before he knew it, his fellow Gryffindor's were leaving the table and he realised that the plates were empty. He sighed as he got up. Ron and Hermione were having an in depth discussion about something and had totally forgotten about him for the moment as they walked towards the door to the great hall. Harry shook his head as he began to make his way over to them. He stopped short when he felt a cold, bony hand grab his shoulder. He spun around to confront whoever the owner was. A pair of dark, almost black eyes met his. He stared for a moment.

"Mr Potter I presume" she said softly.

Her voice was soothing. Harry had never heard anything like it before. It weaved its own magic that seemed more powerful than Veela charms and yet did not ask anything of its audience, as the Veela's did, but merely calmed its audience. He felt all his confusion melt away and smiled at her. He soon realised that he had been staring and quickly nodded in response, looking away from her face.

"I have a message for you from Professor Dumbledore" she continued. "He requests your audience tomorrow morning in his office. Make sure you get there well before breakfast. There are some matters which need to be addressed urgently"

With that, she turned and walked away. Harry tried to follow her with his eyes, but she disappeared in the swarm of students. Harry sighed and looked around for Ron and Hermione. They were no where to be seen. He realised that he didn't know the password and he couldn't see any Gryffindor's that he knew anywhere. He sighed as he made his way up to the Gryffindor tower, hoping that someone would come by and let him in.

Harry reached the portrait of the fat lady and looked around. There was no one about. He sighed and slumped against the wall, hoping for someone other than Snape to find him there. He gave a start of surprise when he heard the portrait open.

"Hiya Harry!" exclaimed Colin Creevey breathlessly.

Harry groaned inwardly, but forced a smile. At least Colin wasn't taking pictures.

"Hi Colin" he said in the friendliest tone he could muster.

"Megan said you didn't know the password. It's phoenix quill"

Harry sighed in relief.

"Thanks Colin" he said, making his way into the common room.

"'Night Harry" Colin said, making his way up to the dormitory as Harry slumped into a chair by the fire.

He was deep in thought about the events of the evening. He wondered briefly where Hermione and Ron had gotten to, but pushed the thought aside as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

Harry awoke with a start early the next morning. It was still quite dark. He looked up groggily and realised that he was still in the common room. The fire had burnt down to the embers. He stretched out and was about to head up to the dormitory when a voice made him jump.

"You know it's against the rules to sleep anywhere but your dorm"

Harry spun around and saw a pair of brown eyes staring into his. He smiled, relieved that it wasn't a teacher.

"I guess I was just really tired" he said with a sheepish smile. She nodded and looked into the burning embers.

"What are you doing down here at this hour?" Harry asked, looking at the clock and realising that it was 3 in the morning.

"I always get up early" she replied softly. "I don't sleep for long"

Harry tilted his head as he looked at her and shook his head slightly. He really didn't understand her at all.

"Why don't you sleep?" he asked curiously, sitting down beside her.

She shifted uncomfortably.

"Nightmares" she replied. "I get potion from Madame Pomfrey twice a week for dreamless sleep, but any more than that would be dangerous. So I don't sleep much the other 5 nights in the week"

"What kind of nightmares do you have?" he asked.

She was silent for a moment.

"I'd prefer not to talk about it" she replied stiffly.

"It might help" Harry said. Megan spun around to face him.

Her eyes were cold and her face expressionless.

"Do you want to talk about your nightmares?" she asked in a hiss.

Harry was taken aback for a moment. He shook his head.

"Then you will understand why I don't want to talk about mine"

Harry wanted to object, but knew that it would only cause a fight. He didn't want to fight with her, so he kept his views to himself. They sat in silence for a while. Harry could see the first rays of light coming through the window.

As Harry saw the first trickle of students begin to emerge from the respective dorms, he remembered his appointment with Professor Dumbledore. He said goodbye to Megan, who merely waved as he got up to go, and then headed out of the portrait hole.

He walked towards Dumbledore's office wondering whether he was too early. Professor Helsing had said to make sure he was there well before breakfast, but he had no idea what was considered 'well before'. He sighed as he reached the gargoyle and realised that he didn't know the password. He sighed and remembered that the password was usually some sort of sweet. He began listing all the sweets he could think of.

"Sherbet lemon"

"Cockroach Cluster"

"Chocolate Frogs"

"Pepper Imps"

He made an angry noise in exasperation.

"Acid pops!" he said.

The gargoyle leapt aside and Harry stared at it for a moment before shaking his head and making his way up the stairs. He reached the door and was about to open it when he heard high pitched laughter coming from behind it. His heart froze for a moment before he realised that it was female laughter, and not the cold laugh of Voldemort. It was accompanied by Dumbledore's familiar chuckle. Harry opened the door slowly and glimpsed Professor Helsing lying on a couch, tossing a ball up and down and chatting merrily to Professor Dumbledore, who was sitting on a recliner and chuckling at her jokes. Harry was startled. He had never seen his headmaster act in this way with any of the other teachers.

"And do you remember when." Professor Helsing started, but stopped abruptly when she saw Harry. She jumped to her feet and suddenly the couch that she had been lying on vanished, as did the ball. Dumbledore looked up to see why she had stopped. Upon seeing Harry he sighed, then he too got up and with a swish of his wand, the recliner that he had been relaxing in disappeared. He motioned for Harry to sit down on one of the chairs opposite his desk.

"Before we do anything else Harry, do you remember what Emily taught you over the holidays?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded slowly.

"I would ask you to practice those techniques while you are at school from now on Harry" Dumbledore said. Harry looked at him confused. "While Professor Helsing can muster a good counter charm for your connection with Voldemort, there are some things that we cannot afford for him to find out"

It suddenly dawned on Harry what Dumbledore was talking about. The previous night he had felt Voldemort emotions and Professor Helsing had cast a spell that broke the connection. That must be the counter charm he was talking about.

Before Harry could say anything, there was a swift knock on the door. Harry turned as Dumbledore called out to the person to enter. Professor McGonagal walked in. She sat down quickly in a seat which Dumbledore conjured for her.

"Now then Harry" Dumbledore said, looking over his spectacles at Harry. "Do you know why you are here?"

Harry shook his head.

"Professor McGonagal has informed me that you wish to become an auror" Dumbledore said, leafing through some notes on his desk. He looked up at Harry and saw him nod in response.

"A noble profession" Dumbledore commented. "However it requires NEWT level potions. As I understand it, you did not receive the required mark on your OWL examinations to qualify for the potions class this year. Is that correct?"

Again Harry nodded, feeling his heart sink. Dumbledore sighed, putting the notes aside and rubbing his eyes. He looked extremely tired.

"Minerva?" he asked suddenly.

"In my opinion, Potter would make an excellent auror. Despite his potions mark, I think that with a little extra tuition he would have no problems headmaster." Professor McGonagal replied. "I would be willing to tutor him myself if it was necessary" she added.

Harry felt his spirits lift a little.

"While I have no doubt that you would make every effort to help him Minerva, potions is not your strength." Dumbledore said gently. "You would not be much help in teaching him for the NEWT exams"

Professor McGonagal nodded and looked towards the ground. Harry's heart sank.

"You had best be off now Minerva. You need to get the timetables for the students. We will finish discussing this matter and inform you of the outcome when it is reached" Dumbledore said. Professor McGonagal nodded again and walked out of the office.

"Well Alena?" Dumbledore asked. Harry looked up confused as Professor Helsing began to speak. Then he realised that her first name must be Alena.

"It would require a great deal of time and bother. I know for a fact that Severus won't take him in the potions class even if Minerva were to tutor him. The only other option would be for me to teach him myself as from what you have told me, there is no one else who is qualified enough to teach potions" She said softly. Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.

"Would you be willing?" he asked after a moment, looking up at her. Harry looked between her and Dumbledore hopefully. Professor Helsing surveyed Harry for a moment and sighed.

"I'll consider it" she said finally.

Dumbledore smiled.

"Excellent" he said. "Now then. We need to speak about the advanced class Alena" Professor Helsing nodded and Harry looked at Dumbledore with a confused expression.

"Potter" Professor Helsing said, bringing Harry's attention away from Dumbledore. "I understand that you led a group of students last year in defence?"

Harry nodded and Professor Helsing drew a chair and sat down opposite him, looking deep into his eyes with her own eyes, which looked black in the dull light from the office.

"I would like you to tell me about the progress of some of the students involved in that group if you don't mind" she said, pulling out a list. Harry recognised it as the parchment that Hermione had gotten them all to sign. There were strange markings near some of the names this time though. He looked up at Dumbledore quizzically.

"Go ahead Harry" he said, and began looking through his notes again. Professor Helsing began to read out all the 6th year names from the list and Harry did his best to answer her questions about the progress they had made.

"Excellent" she said finally, slipping the list back into her pocket.

"You're free to go down to breakfast now Harry" Dumbledore said. "Be sure to get there quickly. You don't want to miss out on the timetables"

After Harry got up and left the office, Professor Helsing sighed and rubbed her eyes. She looked over at Dumbledore and saw that he was looking at her expectantly. She sighed again.

"He's got an attitude problem. That much is obvious. Even if I did teach him, I doubt he'd pass the training" she said, folding her arms resolutely. Dumbledore merely smiled.

"He not patient at all Albus! You need patience to become an auror! He triggers too easily" she exclaimed. Dumbledore smiled wider, his eyes twinkling.

"No!" she exclaimed, half yelling by this stage. "It won't work! Don't even bother!"

"What won't work?" he asked innocently.

Her eyes narrowed at him.

"You know exactly what!" she exclaimed, getting up to resume her pacing. "I can't do it. He'll drive me nuts. I can't tolerate attitude problems, as you will remember."

Dumbledore chuckled at this statement.

"I'd end up doing more harm than good" she said, a little quieter than before.

Dumbledore's expression suddenly became serious.

"It wasn't your fault you know" he said suddenly.

She looked back at him.

"If I hadn't taught that boy" she said softly.

Dumbledore stood up and gripped her shoulders.

"You taught many witches and wizards, and most of them did good. Don't let that one failure stop you from helping Harry." Dumbledore said seriously.

"He shows the same signs Albus!" she protested.

"And so did I" Dumbledore said.

She paused for a moment and then sighed.

"Yes you did" she conceded, then smiled.

"So will you do it?" he asked.

She bit her lip.

"I'll decide once the arrangements for the classes are finalised" she said finally.

Dumbledore nodded, a little disappointed that he didn't get an answer straight away, but he knew that if he pushed her any further, that she was likely to say no.

"We'd best be getting down to the Great Hall then" he said, motioning her to go before him as he opened the door.

"I'm not really hungry" she replied.

"Even you need to eat" he said, looking over his spectacles at her.

She sighed and threw her hands up in defeat.

"Lead the way then" she said.