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Chapter 3 – Another New Student and Two Returning

Amanda was looking through the books on the shelves in front of her. They didn't interest her, but out of the corner of her eye she was watching three people, two boys and a girl.

All three of them were fairly tall. The girl had bushy brown hair and was pulling books off of the shelf in front of her. One of the two boys had red hair and looked as though he would like to be somewhere else. The other one had unruly black hair and wore glasses.

Amanda listening to what they were saying, looked closely at the title of the book on the shelf to make sure it would look genuine if she pretended to read it.

"This year is going to be more difficult than last, and you both know it," the girl rambled on.

"Give it a rest, Hermione. Ron's not listening to anything but his growling stomach," responded the boy with glasses.

Hermione gave Ron a sharp look before speaking. "We're almost done here. Harry, could you get those please," she nodded to a small stack of books.

"Mom, we're all done," came a cheery voice on her right. It was loud enough that it carried down the isle and made the three friends stop talking.

Amanda smiled at Cestellia and Paet. "Shall we go then?" She started towards her left and as they came closer to the small band Amanda said over her shoulder, "After all, you need to be fully prepared for your first year in Hogwarts. I believe that some of the other teachers will be quite difficult to get along with."

"Excuse me," Hermione directed towards Amanda.

"Yes?"

"I didn't mean to listen in, but did you just say that this would be their first year in Hogwarts?"

"Yes." Amanda had a smile on her face that said she was slightly amused.

"Aren't they a little old to be first years?"

"Yes. I said that this was going to be their first year in Hogwarts. Not their first year."

Hermione's eyes went a little wider with dawning comprehension. "Oh. Very well." She turned to Paet and Cestellia and held out a hand, "I'm Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor."

Paet took her hand and shook it smiling happily. "Paet Dennic. I'm a Gryffindor too."

"You were sorted already?"

"Yes. Mom will be teaching there this year. She just brought us with her."

Hermione turned back to Amanda, "I'm sorry, Professor Dennic…"

"Wait one minute, please. It is Professor Willis." And at the confused look on their faces, "Paet can explain when you get to school."

"These two silent ones are Ron Weasly and Harry Potter. Also Gryffindors."

Harry flinched and waited for the shock to wear off so that they would start screaming. However, they did nothing of the sort.

Paet smiled, "My sister, Cestellia, is in Slytherin."

"We need to go," Amanda intervened before there were any more words exchanged. She left the shop, Cestellia and Paet following.

As they were leaving, Amanda heard Ron whisper to the other two, "She doesn't look like she'll make a very good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Neither did Professor Lupin," Hermione hissed. Amanda smiled.

Soon, they took the floo network back to Hogwarts. They ended up in Amanda's office, only to find that Rellin was waiting for them.

Amanda stood. "Why don't you two go take care of your new school things," she suggested.

Both did as they were asked.

After they left the room, Rellin reached a finger round the edge of a gold chain around her neck and pulled out a dark amber colored gem.

Amanda also removed a necklace from under her robes. It was silver with a clear gem. She placed a slender finger on the stone. 'Yes, Rellin,' she projected in thought.

Rellin also placed a finger on her stone. 'I have received a letter from a friend.'

'I take it that this is no ordinary friend, or an ordinary message.'

'You are correct. It is from another of the Order and also a fellow auror. I have been informed that tomorrow my correspondent's granddaughter will be arriving in my office by way of the floo network. She is transferring from her old school on the western coast of America. I am under the impression that she will be joining your girls in sixth year. I believe that we should keep a close watch on her. Though, it is not because she needs protecting. Will you help?'

Amanda, who had remained silent, smiled. 'Yes. Just because I think that I should tell you, I met Harry Potter today. He and his friends think that I am to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.'

Rellin nodded. 'I need to finish preparing.'

Amanda stood and smiled again. "Of course." She showed Rellin out and then went in search of the Headmaster. It didn't take long to find him.

"Professor Dumbledore," she called after him.

"Ah. Yes, Amanda," he said turning.

"I would like a private word with you, please."

"My office then." He led the way.

When they got there he offered her a seat. "What is it that you wanted?"

Amanda refuse the seat and spoke, "Professor, I would like to invite the Weasly twins back to finish their education. I have already spoken with them about it. They didn't really care, but said that it would probably make their mom happy if they did. And it seemed that they thought I would not be able to get them reinstated. All I need is your permission."

Albus Dumbledore sat in his chair, eyes twinkling; he took only moments to decide. "I will give you this permission." He lowered his voice, "The more people that we have from the Order here, the safer the students will be."

Amanda lost her smile. "So you really think that it will happen this year then."

"I don't see any other way around it."

Amanda smiled again, her eyes not quite so much this time though. She had put her hand on the door just before someone on the other side knocked. She didn't even look startled at the sound. She opened the door to reveal a disgruntled looking Snape. She bestowed her full smile on him before squeezing past.

Amanda was back in her office almost as soon as she had been alone. She was at her desk writing quickly in her neat handwriting. Soon she was tying the parchment to the leg of her barn owl and directing the bird to take the letter swiftly to either Fred or George Weasly only, and that they would probably still be at Weasly Wizarding Wheezes. She settled into her chair for a short nap feeling pleased that she was helping. Just before she drifted off, a sly smile spread onto her serene face.

Fred Weasly watched as a barn owl flew in the window of the joke shop he owned with his brother, George Weasly. The owl spiraled down and landed in front of him. He took the letter from its leg. "Thank you," he said and gave it a gentle stroke. The owl gave a soft hoot before it fluttered out of the same window that it had come in.

"Whatcha got, Fred," George asked coming into the room.

"Don't know yet. Looks like it might be from your girlfriend. Kidding." He screamed as George tried to snatch the letter out of his hand. "I doubt that your girlfriend would address the letter to both of us. I was about to open it and find out, but your here so I guess I won't now."

"Fred."

"All right." Fred flipped over the letter to find a strange crest on the back.

"Fred?"

"Look at this."

George bent to look over his brother's shoulder. The wax seal was white, something they had never seen before. On the seal was an owl, wings spread; an open book was behind that; and there seemed to be a necklace of some sort clutched in the talons of the owl.

"Never seen that before. I think that we should open it," George commented.

"Yeah, it looks very official." Fred said. He opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of parchment. Both of them read it.

To Fred and George Weasly,

Greetings. I have written to inform you that you may return on the Hogwarts Express on September 1.

As you do have a business to run, I would suggest that you find someone that you trust and ask them to take temporary control while you finish your education.

Tomorrow you should receive an owl with this terms needs.

Sincerely,

Amanda Willis, Professor at Hogwarts

Both boys gaped. Neither of them had thought that the witch in those light colored robes would ever be able to get them readmitted to Hogwarts. That had been the only reason that they had agreed to her crazy scheme.

Amanda stood next to Rellin as they waited in Rellin's office for the new student. She arrived in a whoosh of soot only moments before her belongings magically arrived.

"I hate the floo network," she mumbled. "I always get so dirty."

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Rellin spoke in the dull voice. "I am Professor Crosse. This is Professor Willis, she will see to your things. Follow me, we shall see that you get sorted."

"I guess," she sighed. She turned to Amanda, "Thank you for your assistance, Professor. I am Malara Moody."

She had to turn and run after Rellin because the lady had not waited.

Amanda only spelled the trunk to a spot where the house elves would take it. She had returned to her office as soon as she had done this. It did not take any magic to hear Paet's excited shouts only moments later.

"Ravenclaw! Really!" But after that her voice had quieted as though she was whispering.

Malara - The "ma" has the sound like the beginning of mother. The next part is just "lar" like in lard. Completed by an "ah" sound.

Thought is in ', just to let you know.

I hope you liked this chapter. I brought the twins back for a friend. Please review. Oh, and sorry if any of the regular characters are ooc, but hey, that is what fanfiction is about.

EmeraldsDragonEyedDagger