David had initially volunteered for train duty when the other teachers encouraged him by saying riding the train was all part of the Hogwarts experience. When he arrived in the crowded station he began to seriously regret his decision. He did not like crowds, particularly when they were so close together than jostling was unavoidable. He met the Grangers and covertly ensured that Hermione arrived safely on the platform, allowing himself to also escape to the platform. He said hello to Molly and Arthur who were seeing off Ron and Ginny and also to Mrs Longbottom.
As it was it appeared that most of the students with muggle backgrounds had realised that there would be difficulties getting to the station and had allowed more time. The older students had been able to apparate and a sensible witch from the Ministry had organised some Ministry cars, which could jump traffic jams, to round up the younger purebloods and get them there on time. So despite Remus's misgivings the Hogwarts express departed at precisely eleven o'clock as always.
Since Hermione and her friends were aware that he was there to protect them it was easy to ensure that they all ended up in the same compartment, after the prefects had had their meeting. Their conversation was a bit stilted as was to be expected for a group of teenagers and their teacher so David decided to put Salazar's coaching to the test and challenged Ron to a game of chess. The game lasted the rest of the morning and was finally won by David.
"I have had the benefit of an excellent tutor but you nearly beat me," said David. "Well done."
"I really enjoyed it," said Ron. "I thought I had you until seven moves from the end when you moved your knight instead of your bishop and I realised I had your entire strategy wrong."
"I realise you've got your NEWTs this year, but perhaps we could play again some time? I have been playing against some of the other teachers but I think you would provide more of a challenge. But for now I think it's high time for lunch."
"Yes," said Hermione, "and since you didn't answer when we told you the food trolley was here your going to have to eat what your mother packed for you Ron."
"Don't worry Ron, I'll save you from corned beef, you can have some of my lunch," said David.
"Thanks," said Ron eagerly.
It appeared that Hermione had been anxiously awaiting the end of their chess game so that she could quiz David on what he would be teaching them that year. He took him a while to eat his lunch since she had finished hers and was firing questions at him. He deferred to Neville to explain about the meditation classes and was pleased with the young man's grasp of the subject.
Part way through the afternoon Draco Malfoy turned up at the door. David resigned himself to witnesses the clash of trio and Malfoy that took place on every train journey he could remember. He was astonished when Malfoy behaved civilly and the Gryffindors were equally civil in return. One could almost say they were friendly. Some things had definitely changed in his absence. Malfoy did not even comment on his lack of wizarding attire.
As they were drawing near Hogwarts the students pulled on their robes. Hermione looked askance at David who showed no sign of changing out of his very muggle combat trousers and t-shirt.
"Not to worry Hermione," he said with a grin, "Professor McGonagall has already given me a lecture on appropriate clothing, but I'm putting off wearing robes as long as possible, that and remembering to call you Miss Granger. I'll be correctly dressed at the feast. Now there's something I want you and Ron to promise me."
"That we'll be good and not go after Parkinson?" asked Ron sarcastically.
"Actually no, though that would be a good idea. You two have a reputation for trying to solve mysteries around Hogwarts. I know your track record with DADA teachers so I expect you don't trust me and you will try to find out what you can about me." Both students looked sheepish. "There is no point in me telling you not to, but what I want you to promise me is that if you find anything that you're surprised by or not sure about please come to speak to me about it first." They appeared about to protest. "You can write yourself messages so that I can't oblivate you and tell other people that you are going to see me or whatever precautions you want, but there is a good reason why people don't know much about me. I can't help it if you do find out but I'd rather if you did that you knew the whole story rather than jump to conclusions."
"Why don't you just tell us then?" asked Ron, but it was a curious not cheeky question.
"I don't really want you to know, at least not yet. I would prefer it if you didn't pry into it, but as I've said there is not much point asking that of you. So will you promise?"
Ron appeared to want to argue, but Hermione stepped in. "Yes I promise." She nudged Ron who grudgingly promised too. David thanked them and left the compartment.
"Why d'you give in so easily?" asked Ron once they were alone.
"Oh Ron, it's obvious that David wants us to figure out what is going on. He's essentially giving us his permission to do so; he just wants to make sure that we don't say anything to anyone that causes him problems."
Ron just gaped at her. "Oh come on Ron. We're going to miss the sorting."
As they entered the great hall Hermione caught sight of David on the top table and whispered to Ron, "Well there's our first mystery; how did he get here before us and manage to change into his robes too." Ron just shrugged. By the next day Hermione would have a list of all the things they knew about the new professor anyway.
The students sat down and Professor McGonagall led the first years in to be sorted. The sorting hat was placed on a stool and began its song. As usual the hat described the four houses but then went tell everyone to make friends and stick by them and to mend the rifts between the houses. Dumbledore made the beginning of term speech reminding the students as usual to stay away from the forbidden forest and introduced David as the new DADA teacher, surprising those who had met him by calling him Professor David rather than giving him a surname.
After the feast the prefects led the first years up to their new common rooms while the staff moved to the staff room for the ritual induction of the new head boy and girl.
The teachers assembled in the staff room where the chairs had been arranged in a circle, with a gap for the centaur Firenze. There was a knock on the door and Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger the new head boy and girl walked in.
"Good evening Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy," said Albus. "It is traditional for the new head boy and girl to be inducted by the staff at the beginning of the year. Details of what happens as part of this induction may not be passed on to anyone who might go through it in the future. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir," they both answered.
"The initiation is in the form of a task which you are guided through by a member of staff. It is a custom not a requirement so you do not have to participate. It is customary for your head of house to guide you, however the choice is yours. Who do you trust to work with?"
"Professor Snape," said Draco without hesitation. Snape may be rumoured to have betrayed Voldemort but Draco realised that his best interests lay with continuing to be on good terms with the man. Things were easier if people found you agreeable, a lesson he thought his father needed to learn. Nobody suspected a nice person.
Hermione thought for a moment before firmly stating, "Professor David." David smiled at her.
"Miss Granger, this is Professor David's first year teaching here so he has not witnessed this ritual before, perhaps it would be better if you selected someone else?" asked Severus. "But far be it from me to object to your having inferior assistance."
"Professor David are you unwilling to guide me?"
"I am honoured to be your guide Miss Granger. I know what the ritual involves. As long as it has not changed within the last twenty years I should be adequately prepared."
"We still keep to the same traditions," Albus assured them. "Excellent, David, Minerva, please wait with Miss Granger outside while Mr Malfoy undertakes his task."
"I appreciate the faith you are putting in me Miss Granger," said David once they were outside. "Even if I suspect you had an ulterior motive for choosing me."
"You did save my life Professor," she said. "Professor McGonagall I apologize for not asking you to be my guide, since most DADA teachers are only here a short time I thought Professor David would welcome the opportunity."
"That's quite alright Miss Granger," Minerva assured her.
"How do you know about the ritual Professor David? Professor Snape didn't seem to think that you would."
"Well, I knew James Potter who was head boy. He was trying to persuade me to come and work at Hogwarts I think, so he told me lots of stories about his time here."
"Where did you go to school then?"
"I never finished school. I got most of my education from my mentor, Godric, and his friends."
"Mr Malfoy's finished now, we can go back in," said Minerva as the door swung open and Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape came out.
"That should have taken a lot longer," commented David softly to Minerva.
"I don't think Mr Malfoy's the trusting type," said Minerva.
David motioned Hermione to stand in the centre of the circle of chairs. He stood in front of her next to a box of miscellaneous items. The headmaster handed David a piece of parchment.
"Miss Granger," began David, "before you find out what your task is I can offer you some things which will help you. If at any point you think what I am offering will not help; just say so and you can get on with the task. It is up to you, but I hope that you will trust me when I tell you accepting everything on this list will help you. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir," said Hermione.
David started by offering Hermione the sorting hat and then a length of rope, a bag, and a woolly hat, all of which she readily accepted. Then he offered to hold her wand for her and after a moment's hesitation she handed it over. He offered her an unnamed potion which she sniffed suspiciously but agreed to drink. She agreed to let him blindfold her. Then he asked if he could petrify her.
"How can I accomplish my task if I am petrified?"
"I can't answer that, but I ask you to trust me. Taking everything on this list will help you," said David, stressing the word everything. "Please trust me."
Hermione considered for a moment and then said. "Don't even ask me about the rest of the items, just give them to me. I trust you."
David grinned at her. "Excellent!" he said. He petrified Hermione, levitating her so that she would not fall to the ground, and then took back the hat, bag and rope, removed her blindfold and performed the countercurse. Handing her back her wand he winked at her and said, "Your task is to deliver the sorting hat to the headmaster."
"Well Miss Granger it seems despite my reservations you indeed chose the right person to guide you," said Albus as she handed him the hat. "Well done."
Draco Malfoy and Severus returned and everyone sat down. "Congratulations Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger, you are now officially head boy and girl for this academic year. Mr Malfoy you scored four and Miss Granger scored a perfect thirteen. As you may have realised the object of the exercise was for you to demonstrate your trust in your guide to the extent of complying with each item on the list. I believe you would like to know Miss Granger that it has been seven years since the last perfect score. Now I must ask that neither of you reveal the nature of this initiation to anyone who is either a student or a prospective student of this school, even your current year mates since there have been cases where the head boy or girl has been replaced during the year."