AN. Sorry I can't really think of a title for this one.
Chapter 2
Although it had been one of the most difficult potions they'd ever done, the Gryffindor students left feeling like they'd had the best potions class ever. In fact, it was all they spoke about at lunch. While it also dominated the Slytherins conversations, their take was much different.
"I hope she stays." Neville said. It was well known that Neville was terrified of Snape.
"Ron. Harry. So, tell." Fred said, pushing himself in beside Ron. George made room for himself beside Harry. "Sorry Neville."
"What's the new Professor like? Is she as good as she is pretty?" George asked.
"Honestly boys." Hermione huffed, and left.
"I heard tell that she's a little odd." Fred said. "Still, she's got to be better than Snape."
"She knows her stuff. But yeah, she's odd." Harry said. Ron's twin brothers were in their final year. They were the beaters on the house Quidditch team. "We were working on a confusion cloud today."
"Really?" Fred said, impressed. "Snape never let us do one of those. Aren't half of those ingredients restricted?"
"I'd never even heard of some of them before." Ron replied.
"What do you mean, 'odd'?" George asked.
"She jumped onto the desk." Ron said.
"She wants to be called by her first name." Harry continued.
"No text book." Ron added. "How old do you think she is?"
"Too old for you." Fred said, messing Ron's hair. "Harry, given any thought to Quidditch yet?"
"Yeah, what are we going to do about getting a new Keeper?" George added.
"And this is your last year. I think we need to hold trials and start training ASAP." Harry said, distracted. He looked up at Professor Lupin, who looked unusually angry.
After lunch they headed off to class. Harry decided that he would go to see Professor Lupin as soon as he could.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office after classes. Once again Professor Lupin had a variety of monsters around the room, just like when he'd been the instructor two years ago.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, how nice to see you. Do come in. Don't mind the chaos." he greeted them. "I'm still unpacking."
"Hello Professor." Harry said brightly. "We just wanted to come by to welcome you since we don't have your class until Friday."
"Will you join me for some tea?" Professor Lupin asked. "Si...that is, I heard about the tournament." Harry had conflicted feelings toward the Triwizard Tournament. He'd won, but Cedric Diggory had died and Voldemort had been reborn by it. "So what's bothering you lot? Other than the obvious looming threat."
"Well, actually, it was you." Harry said.
"Harry thought that you looked upset." Hermione continued. "And we were wondering about the potion."
"Well, no worries there." Lupin smiled. "So long as I remember to take it this time. Professor Dumbledore has an eye for picking talent, and would never bring someone in that couldn't do the job."
"Well how do you explain Lockheart then?" Ron asked, slightly bitterly. The DADA teacher in their second year had tried to run away, leaving Ron's sister in mortal danger.
"Reputation. He had published quite a few books." Lupin shrugged. "I'm not really surprised about Lockheart though. Dressed like that, any Banshee would have torn him apart. They have a real hatred for Leprechauns." He sipped his tea.
"So do you know anything about Professor Araya?" Harry asked. "I mean she seemed to be good with potions when we had her, but..."
"Professor Araya?" Lupin repeated quizzically.
"She asked us to call her that." Ron shrugged, "Said she didn't like being called by her last name."
"Interesting." Lupin said, taking another sip. "I don't know much more than you. Why?"
"Curiosity." Hermione added. "We're just looking out for you."
"Well, I'll see you at dinner. I still have some unpacking to do, and you lot have homework, yes?"
They bid good-bye and returned to Gryffindor tower.
"I don't think he likes her much." Hermione said as they walked. "He seemed more tense talking about her. Kind of like when he spoke about your dad, Harry. Before he told you. Like when we'd inquire about his illness."
"You think he knows something about her, but can't say." Harry replied.
"Could be." Ron said. "I mean, Snape wanted desperately to tell about Lupin but didn't directly until the end of the year when he was all mad about losing the Order of Merlin. Maybe teachers have to promise Dumbledore not to inform on each other."
"Or maybe she turned him down for a date and he's upset." Hermione said. "Really, be serious. You're both fixated on her because she's attractive. I'd be interested to find how it is that she came to be an instructor so young."
"I like it." Araya sat in a windowsill, looking out over the grounds. "I was conducting research in Peru. However when the offer for a floating sub came up, I thought it would be great fun as I've never spent any time in the wizard world."
"But how then...that is how did you learn magic?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I came from a mixed family and my dad's side, non-magic sorts, didn't want to let me go. So I was schooled at home."
"If you don't mind, how old are you?"
"Old enough to know better, but still to young to care." she smiled. "Does it really bother you? That I'm only a few years older than you?"
"Kind of." Hermione said.
"It's a little like listening to one of my older brothers." Ron said. She laughed.
"That bites doesn't it. Older brothers always thinking they know better." she said, shaking her head. "Well, I'll try to make it as painless as possible until Professor Snape returns."
"We weren't saying that we wanted him back. Just that the record for new teachers not trying to kill me isn't good." Harry said.
"Hmm...I follow. However, I'm really not the killing type. Although, now that Voldemort's arisen, I have a feeling that plenty of people will still be trying."
"Was that supposed to be encouraging?" Ron said doubtfully.
"Sorry, I have a twisted sense of humour." Araya dropped out of the windowsill. "I'll try to stop sneaking up on you. Maybe I should wear bells. Hmm...I'll see you at dinner." she waved and headed downstairs.
"Well, at least it's not Percy teaching." Harry said. They joked about that all the rest of the way upstairs.
Upon entering the common room Harry saw the Gryffindor Quidditch team deep in discussion. Alicia, a chaser who was in her final year, waved him over. "Harry, we were debating on lining up new Keepers." she said, "And we were thinking that, well, we should start prepping a team for next year. That way you won't be left to do it all by yourself. But some people," she paused, directing her attention to the twins, "-think that we should just concentrate on winning the cup this year."
"Well, it'll make it harder next year." Fred said, "We have a good shot this year, but not if we're busy training newbies."
"It's not fair to leave Harry with half a team." Alicia said. "It still won't be as bad as training with Oliver."
"Harry, it's up to you." Angela said. "I don't mind a little extra work to help you out."
"Er...I...can I think about it?" Harry said. His mind was reeling, trying to absorb everything coming at him. "I'll let you all know in the morning."
"Not that we mean to rush you." George said. "But we need to get started with our training. Especially if we have to recruit."
"Yeah, I'll tell ya tomorrow." Harry bristled. "Why am I deciding anyway?"
"Well, we elected you the new team Captain since you'll be here for a few more years." Alicia said.
"And since your Triwizard Champion, it made sense." Fred added.
Harry rejoined Ron and Hermione in the corner of the room. Harry sat down with a sigh. Just as he was thinking how nice it would be to be normal and not in the middle of things...
"Harry?" Ron asked, "What's the matter?"
"Just thinking." Harry replied, "Want to play wizards chess?"
At dinner, Harry couldn't help but notice that Professor Lupin was cold and distanced himself from Professor Luna as much as possible. She seemed to return the sentiment and maintained her own distance.
Chapter 2
Although it had been one of the most difficult potions they'd ever done, the Gryffindor students left feeling like they'd had the best potions class ever. In fact, it was all they spoke about at lunch. While it also dominated the Slytherins conversations, their take was much different.
"I hope she stays." Neville said. It was well known that Neville was terrified of Snape.
"Ron. Harry. So, tell." Fred said, pushing himself in beside Ron. George made room for himself beside Harry. "Sorry Neville."
"What's the new Professor like? Is she as good as she is pretty?" George asked.
"Honestly boys." Hermione huffed, and left.
"I heard tell that she's a little odd." Fred said. "Still, she's got to be better than Snape."
"She knows her stuff. But yeah, she's odd." Harry said. Ron's twin brothers were in their final year. They were the beaters on the house Quidditch team. "We were working on a confusion cloud today."
"Really?" Fred said, impressed. "Snape never let us do one of those. Aren't half of those ingredients restricted?"
"I'd never even heard of some of them before." Ron replied.
"What do you mean, 'odd'?" George asked.
"She jumped onto the desk." Ron said.
"She wants to be called by her first name." Harry continued.
"No text book." Ron added. "How old do you think she is?"
"Too old for you." Fred said, messing Ron's hair. "Harry, given any thought to Quidditch yet?"
"Yeah, what are we going to do about getting a new Keeper?" George added.
"And this is your last year. I think we need to hold trials and start training ASAP." Harry said, distracted. He looked up at Professor Lupin, who looked unusually angry.
After lunch they headed off to class. Harry decided that he would go to see Professor Lupin as soon as he could.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office after classes. Once again Professor Lupin had a variety of monsters around the room, just like when he'd been the instructor two years ago.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, how nice to see you. Do come in. Don't mind the chaos." he greeted them. "I'm still unpacking."
"Hello Professor." Harry said brightly. "We just wanted to come by to welcome you since we don't have your class until Friday."
"Will you join me for some tea?" Professor Lupin asked. "Si...that is, I heard about the tournament." Harry had conflicted feelings toward the Triwizard Tournament. He'd won, but Cedric Diggory had died and Voldemort had been reborn by it. "So what's bothering you lot? Other than the obvious looming threat."
"Well, actually, it was you." Harry said.
"Harry thought that you looked upset." Hermione continued. "And we were wondering about the potion."
"Well, no worries there." Lupin smiled. "So long as I remember to take it this time. Professor Dumbledore has an eye for picking talent, and would never bring someone in that couldn't do the job."
"Well how do you explain Lockheart then?" Ron asked, slightly bitterly. The DADA teacher in their second year had tried to run away, leaving Ron's sister in mortal danger.
"Reputation. He had published quite a few books." Lupin shrugged. "I'm not really surprised about Lockheart though. Dressed like that, any Banshee would have torn him apart. They have a real hatred for Leprechauns." He sipped his tea.
"So do you know anything about Professor Araya?" Harry asked. "I mean she seemed to be good with potions when we had her, but..."
"Professor Araya?" Lupin repeated quizzically.
"She asked us to call her that." Ron shrugged, "Said she didn't like being called by her last name."
"Interesting." Lupin said, taking another sip. "I don't know much more than you. Why?"
"Curiosity." Hermione added. "We're just looking out for you."
"Well, I'll see you at dinner. I still have some unpacking to do, and you lot have homework, yes?"
They bid good-bye and returned to Gryffindor tower.
"I don't think he likes her much." Hermione said as they walked. "He seemed more tense talking about her. Kind of like when he spoke about your dad, Harry. Before he told you. Like when we'd inquire about his illness."
"You think he knows something about her, but can't say." Harry replied.
"Could be." Ron said. "I mean, Snape wanted desperately to tell about Lupin but didn't directly until the end of the year when he was all mad about losing the Order of Merlin. Maybe teachers have to promise Dumbledore not to inform on each other."
"Or maybe she turned him down for a date and he's upset." Hermione said. "Really, be serious. You're both fixated on her because she's attractive. I'd be interested to find how it is that she came to be an instructor so young."
"I like it." Araya sat in a windowsill, looking out over the grounds. "I was conducting research in Peru. However when the offer for a floating sub came up, I thought it would be great fun as I've never spent any time in the wizard world."
"But how then...that is how did you learn magic?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I came from a mixed family and my dad's side, non-magic sorts, didn't want to let me go. So I was schooled at home."
"If you don't mind, how old are you?"
"Old enough to know better, but still to young to care." she smiled. "Does it really bother you? That I'm only a few years older than you?"
"Kind of." Hermione said.
"It's a little like listening to one of my older brothers." Ron said. She laughed.
"That bites doesn't it. Older brothers always thinking they know better." she said, shaking her head. "Well, I'll try to make it as painless as possible until Professor Snape returns."
"We weren't saying that we wanted him back. Just that the record for new teachers not trying to kill me isn't good." Harry said.
"Hmm...I follow. However, I'm really not the killing type. Although, now that Voldemort's arisen, I have a feeling that plenty of people will still be trying."
"Was that supposed to be encouraging?" Ron said doubtfully.
"Sorry, I have a twisted sense of humour." Araya dropped out of the windowsill. "I'll try to stop sneaking up on you. Maybe I should wear bells. Hmm...I'll see you at dinner." she waved and headed downstairs.
"Well, at least it's not Percy teaching." Harry said. They joked about that all the rest of the way upstairs.
Upon entering the common room Harry saw the Gryffindor Quidditch team deep in discussion. Alicia, a chaser who was in her final year, waved him over. "Harry, we were debating on lining up new Keepers." she said, "And we were thinking that, well, we should start prepping a team for next year. That way you won't be left to do it all by yourself. But some people," she paused, directing her attention to the twins, "-think that we should just concentrate on winning the cup this year."
"Well, it'll make it harder next year." Fred said, "We have a good shot this year, but not if we're busy training newbies."
"It's not fair to leave Harry with half a team." Alicia said. "It still won't be as bad as training with Oliver."
"Harry, it's up to you." Angela said. "I don't mind a little extra work to help you out."
"Er...I...can I think about it?" Harry said. His mind was reeling, trying to absorb everything coming at him. "I'll let you all know in the morning."
"Not that we mean to rush you." George said. "But we need to get started with our training. Especially if we have to recruit."
"Yeah, I'll tell ya tomorrow." Harry bristled. "Why am I deciding anyway?"
"Well, we elected you the new team Captain since you'll be here for a few more years." Alicia said.
"And since your Triwizard Champion, it made sense." Fred added.
Harry rejoined Ron and Hermione in the corner of the room. Harry sat down with a sigh. Just as he was thinking how nice it would be to be normal and not in the middle of things...
"Harry?" Ron asked, "What's the matter?"
"Just thinking." Harry replied, "Want to play wizards chess?"
At dinner, Harry couldn't help but notice that Professor Lupin was cold and distanced himself from Professor Luna as much as possible. She seemed to return the sentiment and maintained her own distance.