A/N: No.13 is here for you. And some hints are thrown in.
Chapter 13 – Morning Surprises
The voice saying those words didn't sound threatening, merely annoying to Severus' ears. Of course, that was to be expected when one dealt with the ever quirky flying instructor of Hogwarts. He bristled. He could barely stand Xiomara Hooch on a good day, but on a morning like this?
"I have to agree. Do you think it wise to wander around the castle grounds at this time of the night?" a kinder voice chimed in.
"And then with a stranger. Don't you think it looks suspicious to our new boss?" The third voice put in with as much scorn as the owner of this voice could muster. "Especially on a day like this."
"Filius. Mdm. Pomfrey. Mdm. Hooch?" Severus breathed. "What are you doing up at this time of the day? And why are you out here?"
The three staff-members crept out of the shadows they had been standing in the whole time.
"Who is this?" Flitwick asked. "And can we trust him?"
"Baldur Nipps, sir. The new Transfiguration teacher, at your service." Baldur introduced himself. "And if you are following the trail of female formidability then yes, I am trustworthy." He bowed to the ladies. Madam Hooch raised an eyebrow in amused interest.
As everyone was thinking of a way to break the awkward silence, Madam Hooch suddenly said with a hint of gloating, "Nice little shiner you've got yourself there, Severus. Apparently there is someone who didn't exactly like your antics?"
Baldur grinned. "And the lady throws one hell of a right hook." His grin broadened. "But I guess they do rightfully say: 'Hell hath no fury, like McGonagall scorned.' Don't they?"
Poppy clamped her hand over her mouth, while Flitwick and Hooch could barely contain their giggles. "You ran into Minerva?"
"No," Severus growled. "Melina."
"Well, I can't say you were better off with her."
"Be that as it may," Madam Pomfrey interrupted any further quarrels sternly, "it will be much better, if nobody sees you sporting a black eye. Especially not this morning. Come with me to the hospital wing and I'll see what I can do. And you Mr. Nipps, had better report to the 'headmaster'. I believe he is expecting you for some preliminary talk, before the minister arrives."
Both Severus and Baldur stared bewildered into the disgusted faces of their colleagues.
"The minister arrives? Dumbledore is coming to Hogwarts? Why?"
"That is anyone's guess. But yes, he is coming today. A note was given at the staff meeting yesterday evening. Seems like you missed hearing that the new Minister would pay a visit to see how the transition went." Xiomara explained with disgust in her voice. "How he dares to come here is beyond me."
"I believe it is to quell the rumors and questions that have been raised by Minerva's disappearance, for which no account has yet been given. I wonder what happened." Flitwick offered.
Hooch chimed in agitatedly. "And I wonder where she is. It is quite obvious that Minerva didn't resign voluntarily from her job here. She was sacked. And the 'why' is quite obvious too, isn't it? Other than that, I too would like to know what has happened."
"Well, I believe this tale can only be told by Minerva herself." Severus interrupted. "Let us go inside. Dawn is breaking already and the students will be up soon."
***
Breakfast in the Great Hall had become a very subdued event as of late. Dread seemed to press heavily on student body and staff as well. Not even the Slytherins dared to laugh or even lift their voices. Hogwarts had taken a change for the worse.
Normal student life had not been forbidden in any way. Much to the contrary, it was greatly encouraged by the new headmaster. However, the students interest in meeting or joining clubs had ceased altogether. Even Quidditich-practices had stopped. It seemed as if the students had lost interest.
The four Gryffindor-students traipsed reluctantly towards the Great Hall. The troublesome trio had become a foursome after Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had begged their remaining children to stick together at all costs. But it was no joyful union. Most of the time they spent guessing what had happened and worrying about the future. Ron and Hermione had even stopped their constant bickering, and were now walking together quietly.
"Do you think we will have a new Transfiguration teacher soon?" Ginny asked suddenly.
"Probably. I mean, they can't let us go without that subject for long. They will find somebody, even if it is the most ridiculous candidate." Harry replied gravely.
Ron and Hermione, in front of them, turned. "Yes, nobody will be as good as McGonagall." Hermione added.
"Yes, but maybe the new one will give us less homework." Ron muttered hopefully.
"Honestly Ron, Transfiguration is the most complex subject in your wizard's education. It can't go without a full amount of homework." Hermione started to lecture sternly.
"She's right, you know. When McGonagall taught it, the homework was only an addition to the work done in class. The new teacher, however…" Ginny added with a grin.
Getting her drift, Harry chimed in: "…could even give us more, because he can't manage all the stuff during class."
Ron groaned, earning an angered glare from Hermione. The other two chuckled under their breath. Seeing Ron and Hermione masking their feelings for each other by bickering – well, the better description was 'dancing around each other' - was the most normal thing in this world gone crazy. Nothing seemed to be normal, not even Malfoy.
Turning, both Harry and Ginny caught him standing nearby. He had heard everything, but had not made a nasty comment yet. As a matter of fact he almost gave the impression that he would like to join them in a civil conversation. They looked at each other, as if they had gotten the same idea.
Stepping through the entrance to the Great Hall they shrugged, dismissing the thought. Sitting down at their House table, Harry glanced up at the staff table. The headmaster was still absent, which was the best sight in the whole room. However, the other empty seat on the dais immediately upset the positive feeling. Professor McGonagall had disappeared a week ago and he couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her.
"Depressing, isn't it?" Hermione asked. Harry only nodded.
"I really hope she is okay. I mean, she's always so strict with us, but I always knew that she loved all of us very much. I actually miss her." Ginny said quietly.
"Yeah, me too. Though most of the time she scares me, it's always clear that she cares about us. I just hope she didn't do something stupid." Ron answered in an equally quiet voice.
"What do you mean: stupid?"
"Well, I don't know how you would react if your lover suddenly changed his personality and all his ways of believing and acting."
"Lover?" Hermione screeched. The other two also looked at Ron in shock.
Before Ron could elaborate on his words, the door to the Great Hall was thrown open and the new Headmaster appeared with two men at his side. One was a stranger, who was dressed in an odd bluish-yellow robe with strange jewelry adorning it. The other was Albus Dumbledore.
The already very quiet murmur ceased completely as the students stared at the trio in dread. The teachers at the staff table did the same.
Dumbledore looked completely unaltered: From the rich purple robes, to the shining silvery hair and beard, to the merry twinkle in his eyes. If it weren't for his companions, one could believe that everything was back to normal. However, when he smiled at Lord Voldemort in a friendly way, everybody was reminded that indeed the whole world had turned upside down.
All eyes were on them as the three men walked up to the dais. When they passed the quartet, all of them gave Harry an intense look. He felt uneasy under the scrutiny, but the men didn't linger.
"Is it only me, or has Dumbledore changed very much?" Hermione whispered.
Ginny whispered back: "In that company, there is no surprise in that."
"No, it wasn't the company." Harry said quietly. "His aura was changed. As if he were a lot weaker than usual. As if he had lost many of his powers."
"Might go with the position of Minister…" Ron whispered with loathing.
The other three stared at him again. Trust Ron to throw in something completely unexpected.
At the staff table, the three men stood. Voldemort addressed the students and staff. "My dear students, as you all have seen today we have been honored with the presence of the Minister of Magic, who has come in person to give us a most pleasant surprise. Please, give him a most warm welcome."
In spite of this, the applause that came from the house tables was almost inaudible. Most of the teachers, including Professors Snape and Flitwick and Madam Hooch, only raised their hands for some short claps and could barely suppress the smirk as all the students seemed to close ranks and show their displeasure with the *honor*.
Dumbledore seemed undeterred by the reaction. He stepped forward and started to speak. "My dear students, it is my pleasure to be here again and to see you all so well. I am quite happy that now since this little conflict is over, all of you are safe and on your way to a most bright future." He paused. "On your way to that bright future, however, you must learn. After Professor McGonagall so surprisingly resigned her position here to follow other challenges, you have been without a Transfiguration teacher…"
"Other challenges? Resigned?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"It is now my great pleasure to present you with your new teacher." He pointed to the man standing on the right behind him. "Mr. Baldur Nipps, renowned Charms and Transfiguration expert, and inventor of the Justimentors, has agreed to take over this position. I am sure you will have the most delightful lessons with him. Please give him a warm welcome."
Once again the applause was very weak. This time, however, it was joined by several more people at the staff table. Baldur stepped forward and bowed. Before he could say a word of greeting though, Dumbledore started to speak again. "I am sure you will get used to him, and he to you, shortly. In addition, in celebration of the final peace, the Ministry in cooperation with the Board of Governors, has decided to give all Hogwarts students some extra holidays, which will start in three weeks. On this occasion all students will have the chance to visit their families."
The silence that followed this news was eerie. Not even the prospect of extra holidays made the students cheer. All teachers took notice of that. They eyed each other uneasily. Extra holidays before the Christmas break? Severus Snape and Baldur Nipps caught each others eyes. Their eyes conveyed a shared thought: 'Trouble's coming.'
"But now, I'll leave you to your most delicious breakfast, which will be even better with this news. I would dearly love to stay and share it with you, but unfortunately I have pressing business at the Ministry." He shook Voldemort's hand, waved to the students and used the big fireplace to floo to the Ministry.
The Great Hall was still eerily silent. Finally, the Headmaster sat down and started to eat. Baldur followed his example after a short moment of hesitation. Snape followed his example. Then Flitwick, then Hooch and one by one the rest of the staff.
Very slowly and very hesitantly the students also started to eat. At the Gryffindor-table the four eyed each other incredulously.
"There is something going on here." Harry said quietly.
"And it sure isn't good." Ron added.
They stared at each other and finally Hermione said: "And whatever it is, it will happen in three weeks."
~~
Comments:
Selene + VoyICJ: Does that answer your question?
Jestana: I see what I can do about the other SS/MM…
Mavidian: Thank you so much. I figured, the potion would be too easy and besides the way this is going will be a lot more fun.
Child-of-the-Dawn: Just wait, at some point I'm telling you what happened to Fudge.
LauraKay: No certainly, you wouldn't want to get on the bad side of a McGonagall.
LinZE: Don't worry, our Minnie gets herself out of her predicament.
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