Disclaimer: JKR owns all the original HP characters, and I only claim rights over Julianne Michaelson and Professor Lipton.
Chapter 2: Beginning of Term
Juli and Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table shortly after walking into the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
"Feels good to be home, doesn't it?" Juli said softly so only Harry could hear her. "I feel like I never left."
"Me too," he replied with a smile as Hermione and Ron joined them.
"Feeling better, then?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah," said Juli. "I think we've both recovered." She grinned and looked at Harry, who was smiling as well. They all quieted down as McGonagall and the first years flooded through the hall to be sorted.
"Do any of you know any first years this year?" Juli asked. "A girl from my orphanage was accepted this year. It's wicked to know there's going to be someone to talk to next summer," she laughed.
"No," said Ron. "All my family has already been sorted." He shrugged and turned to watch the Sorting.
"Me either," noted Hermione, and Harry shook his head. They were quiet as McGonagall slowly called every name on the list until "Zarriah, Polly" was sorted into Hufflepuff and Dumbledore took her place to give his beginning of term speech.
"Welcome," Dumbledore announced, his voice booming through the Great Hall, "To another year at Hogwarts. I'm sure you all have had a safe trip here." He cleared his throat. "I am pleased to announce we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor J. Lipton!" A tall, blonde woman stood up and smiled.
"Whoa," said Ron as his mouth stayed open. Hermione rolled her eyes and shut Ron's mouth.
"I've heard she graduated 4 years ago and left England to travel Europe." said Hermione. "She's supposedly very smart." Juli nodded in agreement.
"You think she's part Veela?" Ron said, not even paying attention to what Hermione had said with an excited, glazed look on his face. Juli laughed.
"Maybe she is, Ron," she said between giggles.
Dumbledore cleared his throat again to settle down the students. "I also have more good news. I am sure you all remember the Yule Ball we had in honor of our Champions two years ago." Juli was watching Dumbledore but out of the corner of her eye she saw Harry. He obviously hadn't forgotten what had happened that year. She didn't know how anyone could have forgotten. "This year, we will be holding a masquerade ball. More announcements will be made through your House Prefects. Now that I have made all major announcements, enjoy the feast!" Food popped up out of the tables, and everyone dug in.
"Oh wow, a masquerade ball!" Hermione said excitedly. "I've always wanted to attend one of those," she said, clapping her hands in excitement.
"Me too! Oh, I already have an idea of what I'm going to wear." Juli giggled. "Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!"
"Yeah," said Ron, rolling his eyes. "Going to be a blast."
"Oh, come on Ron," said Harry. "You only say that because at the last dance you had to wear those nasty old robes," he pointed out. "Besides, didn't Fred and George buy you new ones?"
"Yeah," Ron said painfully, eating a piece of pumpkin bread.
Everyone continued eating and enjoying their dinner until they had stuffed themselves. Hermione and Ron had to take the first years up to the dormitories, while Harry and Juli walked around the castle for a little while.
"Oh no," groaned Juli as she saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle turn the corner into the hallway they were walking down. "Which classrooms are down this hallway?" She asked hurriedly, wanting to avoid the Slytherins if at all possible.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Harry, turning around. "Yeah, we just passed it," he said, looking into the classrooms. "Let's say hello." He grabbed Juli's hand without thinking and they walked into to Professor Lipton's room.
.:-----:.
Juli and Harry walked into the classroom to find the new professor sitting at her desk silently, writing.
"Oh, hello," she said, removing her glasses as she noticed the pair had entered the room. She stood up and bowed her head, acknowledging them.
"Hello, Professor," said Juli. "I'm Julianne, and this is--"
"Harry Potter, no doubt," she finished, extending her hand to Harry. Her eyes flicked up to Harry's forehead. "It's quite a pleasure to meet you both," she said, shaking Juli's hand next.
"We just wanted to welcome you to Hogwarts," Juli said, smiling.
"Did you really travel Europe in four years?" Harry blurted out. Juli hit him in the arm. "What," he said, defending himself. "I just wanted to know!"
"Well, I suppose I should have guessed the school would be buzzing with rumors within 2 hours of my arrival," she smiled. "This school hasn't changed a bit since I left," she looked at Harry and smiled. "Ah, well; I did stay in Eastern Europe for a year, visiting family and friends, and I also toured France and Germany to study with some incredibly talented witches and wizards. Unfortunately, I mostly lounged about my mother's old house in Paris for most of those three years." She looked regretful. "It would be an interesting story to tell to my first students." She stopped and looked past Juli and Harry, who turned around as she did so.
"Why, hello, Professor, Harry, Juli," said Dumbledore. "I didn't expect to see you here," he added to Juli and Harry.
"We were just welcoming Professor Lipton to Hogwarts." Juli said, politely. "We're on our way out," she smiled. "It was nice meeting you, Professor," she said as she tugged on Harry's sleeve and walked out of the classroom. Harry nodded his head and walked out with her.
The pair had been walking through Hogwarts castle for some time until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Harry muttered the password and gestured for Juli to go through first. She smiled and walked in and Harry followed her.
"Brilliant!" Ron said, practically pouncing on them the moment they walked in. "Now you can tell us if it's true or not!"
"Is what true, Ron?" Harry said, confused. "We've only been walking around the castle."
"Yeah," Juli added. "What happened?"
"Is Lupin really here?" Hermione asked. "Is he back?"
Harry and Juli exchanged confused looks. "I don't think he's here," Harry said slowly. "We didn't see him, at least," Juli nodded in agreement. "Maybe you should try asking Dumbledore, he would know," he added. "He was in Lipton's room when we left it," he shrugged simply.
"Man," Ron said, disappointed that Lupin wouldn't be returning to teach. Then Harry's words caught up with him. "Lipton, the new Professor? The blonde?"
"Yes, Ron," Juli said, rolling her eyes. "We have her second period," she said, looking down at her schedule that she had pulled out of the pocket in her robes.
"Oh, I hadn't even bothered to look at our schedules," Hermione said, searching her pockets for a few seconds before finding it. "I was too busy worrying about the first years," she continued but Ron interrupted her with a groan.
"Oh, no," Ron said, obviously distraught, "We've got first class with the Slytherins."
"Oh, perfect." Juli said, rolling her eyes and walking towards the chairs in front of the fire. "That's exactly what I want to wake up to, Malfoy," she rubbed her arms, trying to warm up as she had gotten cold all of a sudden.
"I know," said Hermione. "At least it's with McGonagall," she said, plopping into a chair next to Juli.
"I'm not sure that's any better, Hermione," Ron said, sitting next to her.
"Me either," Harry said, sitting on a rug. He looked up at Juli, who was still rubbing her arms to try to stay warm. "You okay, Juli?" he asked with concern. "Are you cold or something?"
"Yeah, I don't know what it is. Maybe I just need to get a blanket," she said, standing up to go get one from her room. "I'll be right back."
"Okay," Harry said, getting up and taking her seat, watching her figure run up the stairs.
She had only been gone a few moments when Harry, Ron and Hermione heard a scream coming from the girl's dormitories.
"Juli!" Harry yelled as he got up and ran towards the staircases. Ron and Hermione exchanged confused looks before they got up to try and catch him.