7.Enlightened Arrivals.

Severus Snape was left alone in the castle while Albus Dumbledore had gone, by train, to meet the rest of the teacher as he had done every year that he was headmaster of Hogwarts. Snape stayed in the castle all summer with really no where else to go. His family was among the ones killed by Voldemort. It was a god sent for him to have a place, such as this, to go and feel safe from his past, however now the castle was cold, quiet and boring when there was no one around. There were no trouble makes in the hall, or lights in the class rooms. The castle seemed dormant without any beings in it. Even the Ghosts had gone for the summer and Peeves wasn't even around but soon he would be returning. The great hall seemed intimidating and dark, the vast openness of the great space seemed to swallow life whole and the enchanted ceiling stayed dark and neutral. The house elves were always in the castle but even during the summer they were rarely seen. The only light was coming from the small crack under Mr. Filch's door. Snape knew that in a short time the great hall would be alight once more and the teachers would be gathering for there first meal, then settling into these offices and classes to begin to set up for the children's arrival. The ghosts too would come and Peeves and there would be no rest for the weary. He had enjoyed the lonely summers. He was busy doing Dumbledore's work against the dark lord and had quite a bit of freedom, but now, knowing Belinda would be back at Hogwarts he felt lost, he felt as he had when he was young and foolish. He dreaded what he would have to say to her if she came looking for him or what she would say to him. He was afraid to, that she wouldn't want to ever speak with him or that he would be nothing more than a dark void in her life. Pacing across the stairs of the entrance he watched Hagrid slip out down the road toward Hogsmade to meet the train and the arriving teachers. Snape shivered slightly and fled back to his dungeon. He would have time to compose himself and perhaps he could arrive late to the dinner. He turned back as the castle began to wake up, open its eyes and stretch with the onset of the arrival of the teachers.

As the train neared Hogsmade sation, Belinda became nervous. She had not seen Severus in the train station or on the train and thus assumed he was still at Hogwarts where she had first seen him. She knew of the dinner and there would be no way for her to avoid him there, or perhaps there would be. There were quite a lot of teacher and other staff coming to Hogwarts she would be fine, she said to herself as the lights of the station appeared in the window. The small town was lit brightly in the night darkness, inviting and enchanting, she remember it well.

"We are arriving Belinda," McGonagall said at the door to the compartment.

"That is I sight I haven't seen in years," Belinda smiled. "I'd forgotten how beautiful the castle town of Hogsmade was."

"Yes it is an enchanting little town," McGonagall smiled

"I miss this magic!" Belinda said happily, "I remember I time when I thought I would never leave and never wanted to."

"Well welcome back," Minerva smiled and walked on down the train.

The train slowed to a halt at the platform and soon the teachers were being told to remove their things from the compartments and to gather together to wait for more instructions. On the platform the professors congregated around the small bits of light to see each other and to try to keep all there belongings in order. This station was much more inviting. The cheerfulness of the teachers and the staff was contagious and Belinda couldn't help but smile. She really had missed the world she had known and loved.

"The carriages are read for you Professor," Hagrid yelled down the platform to where Dumbledore was standing.

"Splendid," he smiled and turned back to the teachers, "your belongings will be brought up to the castle and will be placed in your offices. Would you all now please join me for the ride up to the castle and the feast that has been prepared for you. Enjoy each others company. Let us eat, drink and be merry together!" he said happily as he came closer to Belinda, "Please come and ride with me," he asked her.

"I would love to Professor," Belinda said as she climbed into the carriage first. With a sudden jolt the carriage was off up the road to Hogwarts Castle. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable ride, "how beautiful the castle looks, it is a welcoming site and I have missed it so dearly."

"Yes, it will be wonderful to have you with us again Belinda. A lot has changed and yet a lot has stayed the same. I really think that you will feel safe and comfortable with us." Dumbledore said softly with a smile as he looked at her through his half moon spectacles.

"I think you are right Professor, and the time will fly with the children there. I am looking forward to teaching in a magical sense again. And I do feel safe," Belinda smiled

"Wonderful, I know you will be just a wonderful professor for our students." he smile, "and dear lady, now you may call me Albus, you are no longer a student."

Belinda blush bright red at this comment, "I will try sir but sometimes it is hard to break old habits." she smiled.

"Ah yes, that is very true indeed," he sighed happily as and they continued there chat right up to the castle.

The castle seemed light up as the carriages got nearer. Excitement rose in its halls. The lights in the windows came on as though its eyes were opened. All levels of the castle appeared to wake up from the summer slumber and become alive again. At the front doors Mr. Filch and Mrs. Norris waited for the arrivals looking as gloomy and as cross as they both always did. The large heavy oak doors opened to the stairs of the entrance hall and candles led the way to the great hall, were the four house table stood empty in rows perpendicular to the teachers table at the front of the hall. The teachers table was covered in beautiful gold candles and enchanted ceiling mimicked the beauty of the Canadian Aurora Borealis, which danced on the ceiling as the teachers entered and watch happily.

"Please everyone join me for this feast," Dumbledore said from the head of the table as he watched the rest of the teachers take seats at either side of the him, "welcome, welcome to all of our new teachers and welcome back to all of the old. This year should prove to be a wonderful and memorable year for us all!" he smiled, his eyes sparkling behind his half moon spectacles, "I would like to send a special welcome to a former student and international professor. Belinda Cross has returned to us for Canada. It is wonderful to have you back Belinda." he smiled.

Belinda's faced went bright red as she stood in her place as Dumbledore had motioned for her to do. Applause came from the teachers gathered around her and the ceiling danced with splendid colors. As she took her seat again a beautiful banquet appeared on the tables and the hall was filled with the joyful chatter of friends. Belinda had enjoyed conversations with Professor Sprout and Madame Pomfrey over dinner. What seemed like minutes turned into hours as the evening drew on. Belinda ate and drank, feeling very accepted and welcome. She conversed with many of her former professors and introduced herself to the new ones but she didn't see Snape anywhere. She wondered what had happened to him and if he was alright.

"Belinda you must tell us more about Canada," Professor Sprout said happily.

"Well, there isn't really much I can tell you," Belinda giggled, "I wasn't really involved with the magical community in the far north."

"How is that possible?" Madame Hooch asked.

"Well I lived as a muggle for the past eighteen years, with my children. Their father was a muggle and it was a lot safer for me, I thought," Belinda explained.

"And your children?" Sprout asked.

"Well their father passed away when they were very young and so magic was no longer forbidden and they attended Starysnow Academe." Belinda smiled proudly, "they were the ones involved in the magic community. You'll have to ask them when they arrive."

"Belinda's children have very impressive records," Professor McGonagall smiled, "Dominic has excelled in defense against the dark arts mastering many counter curses and charms including the Patronus charm. Her daughter Amelia is a very advanced student in transfigurations. And they have both master Occlumency." she smiled.

"Well, that is impressive!" Sprout laughed, "looks like you have your hands ful."

"Not right now they are with the Weasleys" Belinda laughed, "our little stay with the Weasleys and now I have to deal with their growing Quiddich obsession," she sighed sarcastically.

"Ah, Weasley and Potter.. You really do have your hands full now," Madame Hooch laughed, "two of the most enthusiastic Quiddich players Hogwarts has seen."

"No, no Molly and Arthur have their hands full with all of there children, mine and Harry staying with them until the term starts," Belinda said with a smile, "I have nothing to worry about they are in good hands."

"I would worry about Molly and Arthur," McGonagall laughed, "children flying all about, they'll never keep them on the ground long enough to feed them!"

"They will have to cement their feet to the ground," Belinda said and laughed erupted from the group, "but honestly I am very impressed with the progress of my children. They have taken to flight very naturally and excelled greatly for kids that didn't get to fly at all where they were schooled."

"I can imagine," Hooch said, "would have been awful cold had they tried to play Quiddich."

"Beyond cold!" Belinda laughed.

"You would have two flying icicles rather than children!" Sprout said and the group laughed again.

"They were very excited to be able to learn with Harry, Ron and the rest of the Weasleys," Belinda smiled, "they came home from Diagon ally with Firebolts!"

"Those are very good brooms," Hooch said with a very impressed tone in her voice, "they'll fly really well on those."

"They are loving every moment of it!" Belinda smiled.

Teachers left the table sporadically to retire to there living quarters for some much needed rest.

"Would you like me to show you to your classroom, Belinda?" Minerva asked as she came around the front of the table.

"That would be wonderful," Belinda smiled as she stood up, "I am getting quite tired I don't know how much work I will get done."

"Ah there is always tomorrow you will be fine," McGonagall smiled as the two left the great hall.

They headed off up the stairs toward the dormitories. The movement of the staircases was slow and very rare. Many of the painting on the walls were empty and the suits of armor and statues seems to be very relaxed.

"This seems so odd to what I used to know," Belinda said as she followed closely behind McGonagall.

"The Castle is nearly dormant in the summer time. The staircases hardly move at all, the individuals in the paintings don't stay around, they go off visiting relatives and the armor find it pointless to be guarding what they must when there is no one around." McGonagall stated as they neared the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.

The lady in the pink dress had just returned for from her summer retreat and was now settling back into her paining. She waved at Professor McGonagall as they came near. "How was your summer Minerva?" she asked with a smile.

"It was relaxing," McGonagall answered, "and yours? Are you ready for another year with Gryffindor?"

"Oh my summer was lovely, I spent it with my cousin overlooking the lovely tropic landscape from a dinning room window," The lady said with a smile, "so warm and inviting, but I missed this castle and the children. Lets hope that Gryffindor brings home the house cup this year!"

"Oh I have a feeling they will, Potter has agreed to be captain this year," Minerva smiled.

"That boy has so much on his plate already, do you honestly think he need quiddich to worry about?" the portrait lady asked.

"He wouldn't have it any other way," Belinda giggled from behind McGonagall.

"Oh do you remember Belinda?" Minerva said as she moved to show Belinda to the lady in pink

"Goodness child, I haven't seen you since you left the common room on your last day," she said, "now look at you, teaching I am guessing."

"Yes you are right she is our new Care of Magical Creatures teacher," McGonagall said, "but we must be off, it has been a long day and I still have to get Belinda to her office."

"Have good evening!" the lady said with a wave.

They walked passed the Gryffindor and Huffelpuff common rooms and McGonagall's office before they came to a corner of the castle. A small room led into a large class room that was covered on two side with large windows. At the front of the room was an empty desk and aside from the rows of tables the room appeared dark, lifeless, and immense. At the back of the room a spiraling staircase rose from the floor up to the vaulted ceiling where there was a door.

"This you're your class room," McGonagall said to Belinda as they entered and the candles lit themselves in the great chandelier that hung from the vaulted ceiling, "personally I find this to be one of the most beautiful class rooms, you lucky girl, there is a door to the left of the stair case, that will take you and your class out to the castle grounds so that you have easy access to the animals you will be teaching with. Up the stairs are your bed chambers. Dumbledore has provided small pens right outside the doors for you to keep animals in that you need, Hagrid will be happy to help you take care and find the specimens you need for your class. But leave that all for tomorrow or even the weekend, you have plenty of work to do to get the class room ready and to your likings." she added with a smile, "my office is just down the hall, as you know, if you need anything you can find me."

"Thank you so much this is going to be wonderful!" Belinda said at the door as she watched McGonagall leave toward her office.

Belinda shut the door slowly behind her and looked back into the large empty classroom. She walked slowly from the back to the front and stopped when she came near to the stair case to her bedchambers. The candles dimmed themselves as she began to climb the stairs. When she reached the top the only two candles left lit were those that were one either side of the door. She opened the door slowly to find the small room much more inviting than the vast empty classroom. A fire was lit in the fire place, the bed was made and looked very inviting. There was yet another desk in this room that had already been prepared with quills and parchment as well as other small teaching aids. Sitting at the desk, looking very sad, with a bottle of butter beer was a small house elf.

"Winky, is that you?" Belinda asked as she came closer to the little house elf.

"Winky I am. Winky wants to know who you are," the elf said fearfully as tears swelled in her giant eyes.

"Winky, its me Belinda Bellatour!" Belinda smiled.

"You can't be she. Winky watched young miss leave her. She left and Winky's masters were killed and so Winky was handed to another wizard family and then they freed Winky," she sobbed.

"No Winky, really its me. I've come back," Belinda said getting closer to the elf.

"You have the young misses eyes," Winky said as she slowly stopped crying.

"Are they not treating you well here Winky?" Belinda asked.

"Winky is a free elf. There is no treatment now. Oh the shame of it. Winky was a good house elf why would Winky be freed. What did Winky do?" the little elf asked, "Winky does not work for anyone now. She was a bad house elf."

"You were not a bad house elf Winky," Belinda said, "you were very appreciated in my home."

"Winky liked Misses family the most," Winky said with a small smile.

"Well Winky, just because you are free doesn't mean you have to stop doing what you do," Belinda smiled, "you can still work."

"Wait!" Winky cried out excitedly, "Winky was never freed from her first master and so she is still your house elf! If Miss still wants Winky. Please?"

"Oh but Winky you live and work at Hogwarts now," Belinda said confused by the little elf's excitement.

"Winky will be loyal to her first master till the day you are gone," Winky said, "she will do only what you wish because she is your families house elf!"

"Oh ok..." Belinda said still confused but noticing that the elf was very happy now, " I want you to work with the other house elves that are working in this school and if I need you I will call for you."

"Yes miss!" Winky said excitedly.

"You may tend to my classroom and my personal quarters but I want you to do more work around the school for Professor Dumbledore." Belinda said.

"But Dumbledore is not Winky's master, miss is!" Winky said looking confused.

"But he is head master of this school and I work for him. So you will have to as well. If you do not work for Dumbledore as I have told you I will be forced to free you," Belinda explained.

"No miss! Please don't!" Winky pleaded.

"If you do what I have told you then I wont have to. Now go back to the great hall and be happy in your work with the other house elves," Belinda said with a smile

"Yes miss!" Winky said and ran off happily

Belinda laughed and looked back around her little room. Her cases and boxes were set neatly in one corner to wait for her unpacking and yet without her personal belongings in the room she felt very comfortable and felt like home. She would wait till morning to really settle into her room. She walked over to the one window that looked out of the small bed room and gazed up at the clear, starry sky and the beautiful full moon, like she had done when ever her children were away from her, "I'm going to be fine Kids, I will see you in a few days," she said to the moon, closed the long curtains around the window and quickly she found herself in bed and falling asleep, thinking of only the good things that would happen.

Snape walked slowly past teachers leaving the dining hall and noticed that he had almost missed every last professor, including Belinda.

"You didn't join the feast, Severus," Dumbledore said from behind him.

"I was busy headmaster," Snape said as he spun around feeling a bit awkward.

"To busy to eat or was it more to afraid to face your past," he asked as he watched Snape with a gaze that could read through anything, "She had a fabulous time tonight."

"Just busy Albus," Snape said as he turned back to the dinning hall, "now before everything is cleared I would like to grab something to eat."

"You can't avoid her forever Severus, she is part of life at Hogwarts," Dumbledore called out to him.

"But that does not mean she must be a part of mine," He called back and then walked quickly away from the wizard in the door way.

"Very well, Severus, you will have to face your demons sometime. I only hope that they do not drive you to what you hate and fear the most," Dumbledore said quietly almost to himself as he turned and walked away from the great hall.