--Reviews--
Lyla Hayden- Hehe, you're not as intimidating without your weapons anymore(evil grin) But I updated nonetheless.(before you get new ones)
Starr Light1- Your question will be answered on either chapter 8 or 9. Thanx.
mischeif-maker- Chuck E. Cheese token, you say?
Pure Black- I really hate the fact that Draco is OOC too....;; (But that's due to the stuff that happened after graduation.) I want everyone to be as close to the book as possible, but I figured I can't write any fics if I do that. Bear with me.
melissa ivory- If you knew me well, you'll see that even typing 'aww' could result me gagging and spewing all over the PC. I held it with my strong will though.(new PC)
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Thank you--!
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Part 6
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August 18th, 1994. 7:30am
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Snape walked in the Great Hall to have a chat with Dumbledore only to see James sitting next to him. The sight of them having a delightful breakfast made him in a very foul mood.
"What is he still doing here?"
Snape took a seat next to McGonagall, who was seated to the other side of Albus.
"I am not sure... Albus is holding the introduction until rest of the staff arrives."
McGonagall sipped her pumpkin juice.
Snape frowned and put some eggs on his plate and picked at it. He was never hungry in the morning, especially when it was a bad morning such as this...
"Oh, I don't know why you act like this whenever a new person arrives, Severus," McGonagall scolded, "Mr. James is a fine boy. I am sure you'll realize that once you talk to him."
"We're already calling names, are we?"
Snape split the scrambled eggs in pieces.
McGonagall opened her mouth for another lecture, but decided against it. She knew Snape well enough that criticizing him was a bad idea for the moment.
"Good mornin', everyone."
The room brightened up as Hagrid entered.
"Good morning to you, Hagrid. Trust you slept well?"
Dumbledore greeted cheerfully.
"Sure did, headmaster. How 'bout you, James?"
Hagrid asked as he took the seat next to James.
"I slept well, Hagrid. Good morning."
James smiled.
This seemed to depress Snape even more as he roughly placed his cup down on the saucer. This caught Dumbledore's attention.
"Well good morning, Severus. I did not notice you."
McGonagall giggled as Snape glared at the headmaster.
"What does Mr. James want, Albus?"
Snape didn't care if James heard. In fact, he hoped he did. Unfortunately, he was engaged in a conversation with Hagrid.
"Mr. James is our guest, for now," the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes grew, "I will introduce him when Filius and Sybill arrives."
Snape did not like the look on Dumbledore's face and the tone of his voice. He knew whatever the headmaster had in mind, he would not like it.
"Good morning, professors."
As if on cue, Flitwick and Trelawney walked in.
"Good morning, you two. Please have a seat for an important announcement."
Dumbledore beamed at the professors and stood up.
As the two took their seats, they noticed an unfamiliar young man and became puzzled.
"As you well know, this school year may be the most hazardous one yet. With the strange actions of the Death Eaters, we need to take extra precautions. That is why I've enlisted Mr. James as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this year."
Dumbledore motioned James to stand up.
"He is an expert when it comes to combat, for he was formally a member of the Aurors. Isn't that right, James?"
Dumbledore encouraged James to speak in front of the professors.
"Yes, that's correct," James eyed Dumbledore, "though I didn't know I had to give a speech,..... therefore I don't have anything to say.. But I am greatly honored to be in a team of such acclaimed professors, and I am truly grateful for Headmaster Dumbledore for giving me this opportunity to work at such a renowned and remarkable school."
James bowed as the professors applauded, excluding that of one potions master.
"We are delighted to have you, Mr. James. The pleasure is all on our side, believe me."
McGonagall insisted.
James smiled inwardly as he recalled his DADA professors in his first and second year at Hogwarts.
"Call me James, professor."
James gave her a dashing smile with his devilishly good looks.
McGonagall tried to hide her blush while Snape tried desperately not to groan too loud.
Dumbledore introduced each of the professors as they delightfully extended their hands to James. Trelawney even went as far to sniff James' hand and asked him if he wanted to know when he was going to die(to this, he politely turned down). But when it was Snape's turn, all he did was nod his head. Dumbledore informed that Professor Sprout, Madam Pomfrey, and Madam Hooch will be arriving next week.
"Is that all, headmaster?" Hagrid stood up, "I promised I'd give James a tour."
"Of course, Hagrid. James is free to go."
Dumbledore sat back down, satisfied with himself.
"Come on, James. What do you want to see first? The dungeons or the towers??"
"I'll leave all that to you, Mr. tour-guide."
James laughed as he was led out the Great Hall.
"Delightful young fellow."
Flitwick smiled at Dumbledore.
"Yes, he is."
Snape rolled his eyes and turned to the proud headmaster.
"Was that his urgent news? Asking for a job?"
"Oh.... I'm afraid it's much more important than that, Severus."
The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes almost disappeared.
"He asked Remus to gather the Order. The meeting takes place next Wednesday."
McGonagall whispered.
Snape looked at the two Gryffindors. Dumbledore began to talk to Flitwick while McGonagall stood up to leave. Did he hear correctly?.....
"....................I beg your pardon?"
Snape asked McGonagall as she walked behind him.
"The Order is gathering for a meeting next Wednesday."
McGonagall repeated slowly and quietly.
Snape looked at her in disbelief.
"When were you planning on telling me?"
"I just told you. It'll be around 2pm, don't be late."
With that, McGonagall exited.
Snape muttered under his breath as he stood up to do the same. This day was getting worse by the minute. He had to get out before some other surprises turned up.
"When it is convenient for you... may I have a word, Albus?"
Snape interrupted the conversation between Dumbledore and Flitwick. When the headmaster nodded his head, Snape apologized and his dark robe soared as he took off.
"What could be so important to have the meeting? And who the hell is that imbecile Hadwin James?....."
Snape wondered about the new DADA instructor.
Dumbledore said he was an ex-Auror and nothing more. That didn't say much other than he's trained to battle, but Snape figured that status alone was more than qualified.... as Hogwarts had its share of very unfit DADA instructors in the past. But that still didn't mean anything to him.
"There is much more to this.. James than Albus is telling us...."
Snape speculated as he descended the stairs to the dungeons.
And he was going to find out what.....
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"This is the Astronomy Tower, the tallest tower at Hogwarts."
Hagrid went on about Professor Sinistra while James smiled and listened.
Then all of the sudden, James felt dizzy and fell on his knees.
"James?! Are you okay??"
James heard the distant call of Hagrid as his view became a blur. He almost threw up the contents of his breakfast as he remembered this awful feeling. He heard a painful scream as his vision became clear. A woman was on the ground, barely alive. And then a wand was pointed at her. James wanted to look away but couldn't, and saw the helpless woman murdered. Before he could blink, another person was killed, this time a muggle man. As he felt the large set of hands shaking his shoulders, James saw a rat wagging its hairless tail.
"...Wormtail...."
James gritted his teeth.
"What? What did you say, James?"
James slowly opened his eyes and met with a worried black beetle-like eyes.
"..Nothing.... Sorry about that..."
James carefully stood up as Hagrid help steady him.
"Are you ill, James? Do you need to call someone?"
Hagrid asked, a little panicked.
"It's alright, Hagrid. It happens quite commonly.... It'll stop once I get some rest."
James reassured.
"You should've told me you needed more sleep, James," Hagrid now sounded a little angry, "then I wouldn' have drag you out for this tour."
"Sorry, Hagrid... I thought I had enough sleep... But I seem to be more tired than usual..... from traveling and all."
James gave Hagrid an apologetic look.
"That's alrigh', James. We can continue the rest of the tour 'omorrow. But don' force yourself into doing some'thing when you're unable to... especially when school starts. It'll take a lot ou' of you, you know."
Hagrid helped the smaller wizard to his office.
"Thanks, Hagrid... I can manage from here.. and I'm sorry to ruin the tour."
James watched as the giant walked out of the classroom then opened his office door with a password.
He slowly walked to the bed and fell face flat. He hasn't had those visions for a very long time and even the slight memory of it made his stomach churn. He tried to recall as much as he can and tried to analyze it. He figured he was watching it from Voldemort's view, and the Dark Lord himself had committed the murders. Peter Pettigrew was at his side, clearly aiding those deeds.
"......I've got to warn Albus..."
James decided and stood up.
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Now here's where it starts getting interesting....(I try, anyway)...