Chapter 3

"I never what to re-pot a Mandrake again, never mind see one."

Making themselves known the various cuts and bruises he'd received that morning made his whole body ache; his very muscles sore from the struggles with the Mandrakes. Taking a moment to glance at his red headed friend Harry wasn't surprised to Ron supporting his own display of cuts; it would seem no one had escaped unmarked. Doing his best to remove the soil which covered him Harry prayed that was the last time he never had to handle Mandrakes.

Following the rest of his classmates through the schools bustling corridors Harry was for the first time thankful to be having History of Magic. The way his body was protesting the last thing he needed was a lesson which needed him to think; at most the only thing you had to work was staying awake. With his monotone voice Professor Binns wasn't exactly the type of teacher who kept you on the edge of your seat.

Caught up in his own world Harry didn't see the sudden halt of Ron before him, bumping straight into his friends back Harry found himself thanking the heavens they didn't end up on the floor. Seeing the surprised expression upon his friends face Harry couldn't help but wonder what had caused such a reaction. Following Ron's line of sight Harry soon found the answer to his question, his own surprise hitting him as he took in the sight before him.

Framing a slender figure teal coloured robes contrasting greatly against the auburn strands which fell against them, yet only serving to enhance their colour. Taking in the woman before him Harry struggled to hide his blush as he realized the slight smile she wore only add to her beauty. Seeing the emerald gaze which locked with his Harry quickly pushed Ron forward, heading straight for their seat beside Hermione.

Hurriedly seating himself Harry could see he wasn't the only one affected by the woman's presence; from what he could see all the boys in the class seemed to be taken by her. However, it would seem that unlike himself and Ron no one else seemed too surprised by her presence in the class. Wondering what was going on and were Professor Binns was Harry soon got his answer as Hermione cleared the air.

"She's the new History of Magic teacher, if you'd been here last night you'd know."

"What happened to Professor Binns?"

"Retired last year."

"Think she'll be any better that Binns? She can't be any worse."

Keeping his smirk hidden at Ron's comment Harry could see the horrified look Hermione send him at his statement. However, as luck would have it before she could reply to the question their new Professor brought their class to a start.

"Alright how, everyone settle down."

"For those of you who don't know, I'm your new History of Magic teacher, Professor Langdon."

Knowing she was introducing herself for his and Ron's sake Harry couldn't help but sink back into his seat; glancing at Ron he saw the elder shared his feelings. Looking up towards his Professor Harry was surprised at the smile she send them; humour dancing in her eyes as she looked upon them. Taking courage from the smile both he and Ron felt some of their tension leave them, for the first time there was one person who wasn't immediately holding their little adventure against them.

"Now before we begin, I'd like you all to look to your desks."

Surprised at such a request Harry found he wasn't the only one to give a startled gasp at the envelope which lay before him, his name appearing in a slanted script across its front.

"Don't open them yet, when I tell you may do so. However, before that there's a question I'd like to ask you. Why learn History?"

Stunned into silence Harry thought this lesson was getting stranger and stranger, taking a glance at his two best friends Harry was glad to see he wasn't the only one puzzled by the question. Even Hermione the brains of the trio seemed unsure of how to answer the question.

"I have no doubt that all of you think History is pointless however, that can't be further from the truth."

"History teaches us many things, aside from our past it teaches us skills we can find useful in life. To take things at face value is easy, but to look beyond them and seek the truth is harder."

Curious as to were Professor Langdon was going, Harry listened silently to her words, seeing he wasn't the only one whose attention was caught.

"The history we learn is often one sided, it is up to us to learn all sides, to uncover the whole truth and form a fair judgement. In understanding our past, we learn were we come from."

"With out past events, past people wouldn't be were we are. Despites what you think it is the past which defines are future."

Watching Professor Langdon's progress as she walked between the desks Harry felt a sense of truth in her words; her talk about the past and future to him made some sense. Seeing her come to a stop beside his desk Harry looked towards the wooden top of his desk, not letting his gaze stray until she had moved once again to the top of the class.

"You may open your envelopes."

Returning to the envelope before him Harry twisted it over in his hands, taking in the red wax which held it shut. Breaking the waxy seal Harry slowly removed the folded paper within, looking with puzzlement at the small note Harry followed everyone else's lead as he unfolded the crisp note.

Aurora Redfern

Having never heard of the name before him Harry quickly looked towards Ron and Hermione, seeing the same looks of surprise upon their faces too.

"You each have a name before you, and before you start no one shares the same the name. You each have a different name, now is there anyone here who can tell me about the person I've given them."

Like before a deadly silence filled the floor as everyone cast uncertain glances between themselves. However, it would seem that there was one person in the class who could answer the question before them.

"Neville isn't? You have any answer for me."

"Yes Professor….I'm…I'm, not sure but I this person I have, I think they're part of my family."

"Very good Neville, ten point to Gryffindor. In fact I'm surprised no else knows, considering each of the names you hold is an ancestor of yours."

Suddenly filled with chatter it took Professor Langdon a few moments to calm the class down, a small on her face as she looked over the crowd.

"Welcome to your first assignment. You three weeks from today, to find out who your ancestor was and what they did."

"Now I'll be giving you this lesson to start you research, after that you must do it in your own time. So if you'll gather your things we'll be heading to the library."

Sharing a shrug with Ron's questioning look Harry quickly gathered his things together, seeing the class slowly empty put into the corridor beyond.

"Everyone will wait outside quietly, anyone who doesn't will be serving detention this weekend."

"Harry, may I have a moment."

Pausing in his stride Harry watched as everyone pasted him, seeing the curious glances they all send him as they did. Seeing the door swing shut as the last pupil exited the room Harry found himself turning to glance at his Professor.

"Nearly everyone's going to be owling their families, few of them are going to be a little surprised about their ancestors."

"Professor."

"I understand your relatives are Muggles, and I wouldn't expect them to know about your father's side of the family."

"That's right."

Feeling a hand rest gently on his shoulder Harry managed to turn his head upwards, meeting an understanding gaze as he did.

"Aurora Redfern, is a member of my family. One I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding, but I'll be happy to help if you need it."

Touched by the help Professor Langdon was giving him Harry found himself lost for words, slowly nodding his thanks Harry had a feeling that maybe History wasn't going to be as boring as he thought it was. Moving on ahead of his new Professor Harry had a good feeling this was one Professor people would definitely come to like.

To Be Continued