Chapter 6: The Feast, and The Councilor
Author's Note: Things should move a little quicker after this point. Rather short chapter.
The group talked about Quidditch and their hopes for the new school year for quite some time. Soon the train pulled into the station and everyone began unloading. A large man in a moleskin coat was directing the first years to several wooden boats docked at a small lake. All the other students made their way up to the school either by carriage or walking. Samuel boarded a carriage after helping his wife and the students into it. It was roomy and comfortable, but not overly so. The carriage made its way up to the school, drawn by a team of skeletal horses that, surprisingly, everyone could see. Once the carriage arrived at the castle its occupants got out and stared at the complex.
"Still repairing damage I see," Samuel said, pointing out several cracks in one wall.
"I heard they're going to leave some of the cracks, as a reminder," Hermione said, looking up at a tower with a large crack running up it's length.
"Come on, we better get inside," Samuel said, making his way to the main gates.
They all followed and eventually found themselves in the Great Hall. Samuel shook hands with the rest of the professors and then a good number of the students. The Gryffindor table began to fill up quickly as students caught up on each other's news. Samuel took his seat at the Professor's table and leaned back in his chair a bit.
"Have a good summer Professor Snape?" Samuel asked of a severe looking man sitting next to him.
"Dismal," Snape said, "Could have been worse though I imagine. I spent the entire three months testifying in court. One Death Eater right after another."
"I see you kept the tattoo," Samuel said, noting a tattoo on Severus' arm.
"So those around me will never forget," Snape said, "The ones that were pardoned had their marks removed."
"How many were let go?" asked Samuel.
"Two, Crabbe, and Goyle's fathers. They were just too dumb to know any better."
"A lot of orphans then I would imagine."
"Yes, luckily most of them were able to live with relatives. Many weren't that fortunate," Snape said, "They put them in orphanages."
"What about Malfoy?"
"The little prat seized his family's assets," Snape said with a chuckle, "A true Slythern if I ever saw one."
"How in the world did he manage that?"
"Who knows?"
Most of the students had already entered the great hall when Headmaster Dumbledore came in and sat down at his seat at the head of the professor's table. Soon Professor McGonagall led in the nervous looking first year students and placed an old hat on a stool. The hat sang a song about the school, unsurprisingly and the Sorting Ceremony commenced. As was normal about equal portions of the nervous first years were distributed among all the houses with Hufflepuff having the most and Ravenclaw having the least. There were cheers and backslapping aplenty at all the tables. Dumbledore stood and tapped a spoon on his wine glass.
"Attention, everyone," he said and the room fell silent. "Before the feast begins I would like to make a few start-of-the-year announcements. First of all, since the opening of the Weasley's Joke Shop, Mr. Filch has tripled the number of items on his list of banned items. He asks that you hand over all items in your possession to avoid disciplinary actions."
"The Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. The village of Hogsmeade is restricted to students third year and above," the Headmaster stated, "Your school councilor is Professor Samuel Green. If you are having problems of any kind please don't hesitate to see him or set up an appointment. I would also like to welcome Professors Severus Snape and Remus Lupin back to the school. They will resume their posts as Potion Master and Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher respectively. Also Master Gene Evans will be teaching a new class on working with metals. I would encourage all of you to consider taking his class. Maria Evans will be teaching the new Wizard Fencing this year as well."
"Now that the announcements are over, enjoy the feast!" he said cheerfully, and waved his hands. Platters, bowls and pitchers of food and drink appeared on the tables in front of the eager students.
"Congratulations on your marriage," Snape said, shaking Samuel's hand, "You are a lucky man."
"Thank you," Samuel replied, "Yes I am."
Minerva McGonagall leaned forward and smiled at Samuel in approval and raised her glass slightly. Samuel nodded in return and raised his own glass. Snape looked at the two for a moment and then sat back in his chair. The beginning of the year feast continued for an hour, possibly two before the prefects led the first years to the dormitories. Many of the older students congregated in the halls. Samuel found his old office and along with his wife, began to put things in order and added a few decorations they had brought from him.
"Samuel," Maria said, digging through his desk drawer.
"Yes?"
"I think I need a pet," she said.
"Why's that?"
"Almost all the students here have one and I feel kind of left out," she said, still rummaging through the drawer.
"What kind do you want?" he asked, "I'm sure we can get Elanus to bring you one."
"I was thinking of a toad, or maybe one of those big green lizards that live in Palo Duro Canyon," she said.
"Why a toad? Wouldn't you rather have a cat or an owl?" he asked.
"Well I wanted to steal your little glass mouse but, almost no one here has a toad," Maria said, "Can you get Elanus to bring me one? They make good weather forecasters I hear."
"Sure why not? Do you want a toad or a lizard?"
"A lizard, and a big one," Maria said, throwing things out of the drawer.
"What are you looking for?" Samuel asked, hanging a portrait of Maria and him on the wall.
"Your mouse," Maria said, "I want to play with it."
"Here you go," Samuel said as he produced a clear glass marble from his pocket. The marble slowly changed into a transparent mouse in Samuel's hand and scampered towards Maria. She picked it up and let it crawl over her hands and arms, giggling under her breath all the while.
"Did you hear we're getting private quarters?" Samuel asked, "Since I'm a full fledged professor now."
"That's great!" Maria said, "I was hoping we would, are they big?"
"Well, I saw Moody's last year. They're fairly sizable. Flitwick told me that they spent all last week fixing it up for us. He said we were one of the few married couples here. Most have to use adjoining rooms."
"I guess it's good to be married to a hero, hmm?" asked Maria.
"I didn't know dad got married," Samuel said, rubbing his chin.
"You know what I mean, come on, let's go see this room," Maria said, holding her hand out.
Samuel extended his elbow and led his wife down the halls to their living quarters for the following months. They were taken aback by the size of the rooms. It appeared as if it were originally two rooms. One room, where they entered had been made much like a living and dining room. They could entertain several guests and dine in privacy in the morning if they so desired. The other room was of course a large bed room with its own private bathing facilities. A large canopied bed occupied the center of the room and a large walk in closet dominated one wall.
"Oh Samuel!" Maria said, "I'll feel like a queen."
"It is a castle," Samuel said, looking around the room, "They went to a lot of work for us." Maria nodded and walked back into the living room.
"We'll have to do something about that bed," she said suggestively, "What's this?" asked Maria, looking at a door in the living room, "I can't open it."
Samuel shrugged and turned the doorknob easily. Inside was what looked to be a study of some kind, complete with a large desk, a round table with chairs, several bookshelves full of books, and what appeared to be a small bar. "I don't know, what do you make of it?"
"It's your councilor's office," Maria said, "Probably why I can't open it."
"Why would they put it here, I like my other office," Samuel said.
A knock on the door was heard and Maria quickly opened the door. "Professor Dumbledore! Please come in," Maria said, showing the old wizard in.
"It's good to see you again Mrs. Evans," Dumbledore said, "I see your husband has found his new office."
"I don't understand, sir. Why do I need another office?" asked Samuel.
"It's quite simple," Dumbledore said, "This one is private, and secure. No one may enter unless they have your permission. We thought many students would be more comfortable in a relaxed setting, rather then in your regular office."
"So you're going to encourage them to come here then?" asked Samuel.
"With your permission, of course," Dumbledore said.
"It's fine with me, company is always welcome," Maria said with a shrug.
Samuel shrugged and looked at his wife for a moment, "I don't have a problem with it, I can work with them after school hours I suppose."
Dumbledore nodded, "I expect the rest of the quarters is to your satisfaction?"
Samuel and Maria both nodded and expressed their gratitude. Dumbledore informed them that a house elf would be put in charge of attending to their quarters, and if they needed anything at all, they only needed to ask. Soon the old wizard left and the couple decided to go to bed early that night.
