xxTorn Rose of Ages Pastxx
vv Chapter Six: New Age of Meetings vv
(Li)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I do own the Ocs, such as Tornaroes and Jumblejones.
Summary: -AU- In a distant age where the Soulless rule and those who practise the Light and protect the Hogwarts House Heirs are hunted like Muggle animals, one House protector is sent to the past to save the life of a long-dead Ravenclaw Heiress... Tora is back, along with her good friend and new Defence Proffesor Krisma. The plot thickens...
Warnings: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince spoilers.
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Summer Holiday and September 1, 1996; with Harry Potter
Harry Potter spent the first two weeks of his summer vacation as usual: holed up in his small room, coming out only to eat and use the fecilities. Still upset over his godfather, Sirius Black's, death, the sixteen year old wizard looked a bit worse for wear when Dumbledore came to pick him up on the 30th of June. The time inbetween was spent in Daigon Alley under another name; brand new things were in order, and helped forget the pressure building.
After a nice -and amusing- chat with the Dursleys, Harry's first experience with side-long Apparation, and a bit of a misunderstanding by one Horace Slughorn, they arrived early in the Burrow's backyard, where Harry was to spend the rest of his summer. A spiderweb infested storage shed chat later, Hogwart's Headmaster left his young charge in the Weasley's capable hands.
The rest of the summer passed by in a fast, happy daze, until Septemeber 1st at last arrived. The Boy-Who-Lived stepped out of the Ministry car, through Platform 9 3/4, and onto the scarlet Hogwart's Express without insident, only to find himself sharing a back-of-the-train compartment with Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom while Ron and Hermione had Prefect duty.
All that had happened -all that was happening- was a bit overwelmbing when you thought about it, Harry mused. Fourmurders on his honor, and what to show for it? Five narrow escapes from death set up by Voldemort. Now with all those rumors of the Chosen One nonsense and the Daily's Prophet's daily death reports, he really wanted something productive to do...
"Are we still doing D.A. meetings, Harry?" a dreamy voice asked out of the blue, interupting his dark thoughts. Luna was reading The Quibbler with perticular looking spectacles balanced neatly across her nose: plastic lenses set inthick black frames.
"No point now we've got rid of Umbridge, is there?" Harry muttered, staring at the advanced book of hexes and jinxes in his lap, a belated birthday present from all his Dumbledore's Army students.
"I liked the D.A.! I learned loads from you!" cut in Neville from his crouching place under the seat as he tried to find his toad, Trevor, who had a thing for freedom.
"I enjoyed the meetings, too," said Luna serenly. "It was like having friends."
Mentally, Harry squirmed a bit, uncomfortable with the dreamy girl's blunt, embarrasing honesty. He felt a bit guilty for not thinking to continue his tuturing sessions with various Houses and years, but he'd had more important things on his mind, or so it seemed.
He was saved from responding by a group of nervous fourth-year girls whispered and giggled beyond the glass to his right.
"You ask him!"
"No you!"
"I'll do it!"
One of the strangers, a bold looking girl with large dark eyes, prominate chin and long black hair pushed her way through her friends and jerked the sliding door open.
"Hi, Harry. I'm Romilda, Romilda Vane," she said confidently, ignoring the others in the compartment for the moment. "Why don't you come sit in our comparment? You don't have to sit with them." The girl named Romilda glanced distaintfully at Neville, who was just sitting up, toad in hand, and Luna, who looked odder than normal with her magnifying Spectrespecs glasses.
A feeling of irriatation welled up in his chest as he stared at the girl coldly. If there was one thing he always did, it was defend his friends and loved ones. "They're friends of mine."
"Oh," said Romilda, looking surprised and taken aback. "Oh. Okay."
She withdrew instantly, her friends following solomely behind her, sliding the door closed as she exited.
"People expect you to have cooler friends than us," commented Luna vagely, looking up from her father's magazine.
"You are cool," Harry stated shortly, then pointed out, "None of them were at the Ministry. They didn't fight with me." And he was proud of the mystic Luna and shy Neville for doing just that.
"That's a very nice thing to say," said the light haired girl, beaming. Then she went back to reading The Quibbler, glasses pushed farther up her nose.
"We didn't face him, though," said Neville, looking a bit anxious. "You did. You should've heard Gran talking about you. 'That Harry Potter's got more backbone than the whole Ministry of Magic put together!' She'd give anything to have you as a grandson..." The chubby boy looked down.
Harry laughed nervously, and, not wanting to see his friend upset, changed the subject to OWL results.
As Neville conversed on about his grades -"Got an Acceptable in Transfigeration. You think I can take NEWT level?"- with an odd comment from Luna, the Boy-Who-Lived's thoughts wandered to the Prophecy, his revelation to Ron and Hermione, and most importantly, the possiblity of selfconscious, clumbsy Neville being in his place...
"You alright, Harry? You don't look so good," asked Neville, peering at his friend's suddenly pale face.
"Sorry-I-" stuttered the boy as he started, thinking of some excuse.
"Wrackspurt got you?" asked Luna sympatheticly, joining the round faced boy in his staring and looking obserd in her multi-colored spectales.
"I-what?" Harry blinked in confusion.
"A Wrackspurt... They're invisible. They float in your ears and make your brain go fuzzy," she explained. "I thought I felt one zooming around in here." She then proceeded to flap her hands around in the air, as though trying to ward off large invisible mothes.
Harry and Neville caught each others eyes and, trying to hold back their laughter, changed the subject to Quidditch.
The weather outside the compartment window was as patchy and foggy as it had been all summer, blocking out the sunlight. It seemed out of the oridinary, the chilling mist, as it was nearing the end of summer when the foggy season usually started. Hermione and Ron had entered the compartment just as it was clearing up a bit, and the group chatted on about a variety of subjects -having already changed into their robes.
As they neared Hogsmeade station, a thrid-year girl barged into their compartment, out of breathe. Harry just hoped she wasn't like the rude, black haired fourth-year from earlier (he'd forgotten her name).
"I'm supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Luna Lovegood and H-Harry Potter," she gasped out, turning scarlett as she noticed the last one she'd named right before her. Pulling out five rolls of parchment roughly tyed with old bits oflaced ribbon, each with the name of the individual scribed on the side.
The group took their own from the trembling third-year's hand, looking it over in confusion as the girl tumbled back out.
"What is it?" asked Neville, purplexed.
"An invitation?" mused Luna, who had already opened hers. Ron and Hermione peered over the dreamy girls shoulders to get a better look.
Miss Luna Lovegood of Ravenclaw House,
Please join Proffesors Lupin and Valorence for a meeting in the Defence Hall after the welcome feast.
Filius Flitwick, your Head of House
The rest said roughly the same thing, changingly only for their name and Head of House (Gryffindor).
"What'd you wreckon this means? Proffesor Lupin's teaching Defence?"
"What's the Defence Hall?"
"Who's Proffesor Valorence?"
"Oh, don't you lot read?" Receaving blank stares and a serene smile from her friends, Hermione sighed, wondering why the Sorting Hat had insisted upon Gryffindore and not Ravenclaw, where there were bound to be less dunderheads.
"The Defence Hall was used in times of war before Hogwarts was founded as a school. It's been hidden for over five hundred years, since there's been no use for it, and since it's quite outdated. I don't know how they know where it is, but just think of all the historical value that could be in there!" Hermione went off into lala-land as the males blinked and Luna continued to read her magazine.
Quite a year it was to be, and yet the Fates weren't even warming up.
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September 1, Great Hall -- 7:02 PM
The express arrived on time, and the carrage ride of just as usual (with both Luna and Harry greating the thestrals this time). The invited group sat together, pondering their letters before conversation became light hearted once again.
As the students filed in through the open doors, Dumbledore watched their number, rubbing his charred hand absently. The glamour he'd placed on it three weeks ago was wearing off and he'd have to renew it as soon as he could in his office, but watching the innocence of tomarrow was much more important at the moment.
The Headmaster idly wandered where Tora was, signaling the feast to start despite one teacher's absence. Glancing around at his staff, Dumbledore noticed the one who'd attacked him -Krisma, wasn't it?- talking to Reamus Lupin, who seemed to be trying to get the Potions Master into the discussion. Chuckling to himself, he hadn't noticed the Sorting's end or his que for starting his start-of-term speach.
"To our new students, welcome! To our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical edication awaits you," he began, sneeking glances around the room at what various students were doing and almost smiled broadly as he saw Harry chatting with his friends, a familair note in hand. Ah, what surprises awaited him when they entered that room, or so Krisma had said after convincing his fellow teachers to use that room again.
"...and Mr.Filch, our caretaker has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Weasleys' Wizarding Weezes.
"Those wishing to play for House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise.
"We are please to welcome two new members of staff this year, and one returning to us after a short leave. Proffesor Lupin," the werewolf stood, a bit unsturdly, to a medium amount of applause, "who will be continuing the Defence Advancement club started last year by our own Harry Potter." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled madly as all attention turned to the Gryffindore table, more spucificly an uncomfortable looking teen at it's center.
"A new face joining us now is Proffesor Katatrisma, who has been kind enough to concent to teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, and-"
The Headmaster was interupted as the Great Hall's doors burst open to admit entrence to a panting, black clad figure. All wands were pointed to the intruder as he/she caught his/her breathe and sighed as he/she noticed the threatening possions of all teachers and prefects.
"Really, Tora told me I'd receave a better welcome..." came a muttered voice as the figure removed her hood.
There stood a chubby, sun-blonde woman with pink cheeks and a charming smile. Her deep blue eyes twinkled a little as Dumbledore's did, but in a more relaxed way. She looked in her mid-thirties, though you couldn't always tell in the wizarding world, and assessed the students staring wide eyed at her as a mother would her young.
"Sorry I'm late, Headmaster. The missave my daughter sent got most in the fog and it didn't arrive until late this afternoon." She smile widely at the old man, winking descreately and a look of understandingpassed fleetingly crossed his face.
"No need to apologize, Ms.Valorence. I did call upon you on such short notice," replied the Headmaster as the discized Tora walked up to the teachers table and took as seat next to a welcoming Proffesor Katatrisma.
"As I was saying," Dumbledore cleared his throat, gaining the Hall's attention. "We have with us another new adition to our faculty: Proffesor Valorence, who will co-run the Defence Advancement club with Proffesor Lupin and substitute when any other is called away."
So ended his speach, leaving four extremely confused teens waiting for a guide to the Defence Hall, and one not-so-sane fifth-year staring off into space, humming absently to herself.
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September 1, 1996, Opening Corridor (First Floor) -- 9:20 PM
Seven students remained behind as the Great Hall emptied out, five staring at the other two in shock. Luna, Neville, Ginny, Ron, Hermione were those Harry had expected, since they'd gone to the Department of Mysteries with him, but not Cho Chang or Susan Bones. It was surprising, also, that a Proffesor in charge of Defence Advancement wasn't the first teacher to approach the confused group.
"My, my, Mr. Potter," drolled the voice of Severus Snape, Hogwart's Potion's Master. "Shouldn't you and your group be off to the common rooms or are you planning another midnight escapade?"
Harry stiffened asNeville cowered behind Hermione who was having a hard time holding Ron back from attacking, said red head burning with fury. Cho shifted nervously and Susan did the same, glancing around warily as Luna acted, well, Luna-like.
"I beleive that would be 20 points from Gryffindore for loitering," the greasy man continued, seeming to enjoy the group's combined reactions.
The students were saved from detention or more loses to their respective Houses' point ranks by a soothing female voice just as Ronald Weasley broke his friend's hold and would have lunged at the Potion's Master. "Now, now, Proffesor Snape. As much as I admire your enthusiasm for renforcing the school rules, this group has broken none that I know of."
Snape turned his sneered attention to the approaching blonde haired, motherly woman: Proffesor Valorence. Harry felt a vague sense of respect rise up in his breast as the Hufflepuffish woman stood up calmly to Hogwart's most resented faculty member.
"Ah, yes, Madam Valorence." The greasy man seemed a bit wary of the smiling blonde for some reason, though he hid it well under the cold bitterness of his every day mask. "Curious that your last name is that of our prevous guest, Miss Tora Valorence..." He seemed to be suggesting something.
The substitute teacher's smile only broadened. "You've met my daughter, have you? Yes, well, I sent her to scout out the offer while I was away on business. As you can see, she found Hogwart's school quite an exceptable place."
Snape sniffed and turned, black robes billowing, as a chatting Lupin and Katatrisma walked toward them. Both men were called out of their talk was Proffesor Valorence almost litterally pounced the younger.
"Krisma, dear! Been a while, love!"
The students just blinked as the red head proceeded to pry the older off himself. "Only been ten minutes, Valorence. No need for such behavoir, either," commented Proffesor Katatrisma.
Proffesor Valorence pouted a bit. "I've told you to call me Admissa, Adelais, love. We need no formalities, you know."
"Yes, yes, but around students..." Katatrisma muttered. Valorence became proffesional a moment later.
"Oh, forgot about them," she murmured to herself, then addressed the group of bewildered students. "Hello there, dears. I bet you're wondering why you were instructed here?"
The lot nodded. "As am I," commented Proffesor Lupin, looking just as confused as his former -and once again- charges.
"Ah, sorry. Tora didn't breif you?" Valorence seemed vaguely confused.
"Well, she did mention something-" the werewolf admitted.
"Then there shouldn't be a problem," concluded the blonde, looking over the DA members with surprisingly hard eyes.
"The D.A. shall be continued by the group of us. Within the students, we need responsible members from all Houses, since there shall be no need of diversion or racism between peers. You all were reccomended by either your Heads of House or from information gathered from other teachers." Her gaze never wavered. "All gathered have experience in the area you shall be assigned in."
Her gaze sofened, and she smiled warmly, a great contrast to her proffestional face. "If you will now follow me to the Defence Hall, we can continue there..."
Hermione raised her hand before the Proffesor had a chance to lead them away. "Where is the Defence Hall, Proffesor? In Hogwarts, A History it says it was hidden in 1378 and it's location lost."
Valorence cut the curious bookworm off with a held up palm and amused smile. "I know because I do, Miss Granger. And I must say, you would have been a fine Ravenclaw, from what I've seen and heard so far."
Hermione colored at the teacher's praise. Distracted, she didn't think to ask again.
"Now, this way, please."
The lot followed, somewhat reluctantly, as Katatrisma took the back, glancing over his shoulder at Lupin. Werewolf senses were sharp and able to pick up a demon's precence as well as one of its own, but only the ones who excepted the wolf truely knew. The man standing silently behind him did everything to hide from a part of himself, which it seemed only the Wolfsbane Potion helped with.
"We'd best follow, Mr. Lupin." The Proffesor, interupted from unknown thoughts, nodded and followed.
Krisma only sighed, wondering why Tornaroes insisted upon dealing with human and halfbreed matters when she didn't seem so human-like herself.
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A/N: Yeah, Yeah I know it's been a long time since I updated. The next few will be random. Any suggestions for future chapters are appresiated.
Bai!
Li