Chapter 10

Headmaster Winfred

"I have an announcement."

Dumbledore's soft voice rang through the Great Hall. Every student looked up from their breakfast to hear what he had to say.

"It is in deep regret that I must say...I will be leaving you."

At these words, no one moved. The students stared at the Headmaster in disbelief. What kind of a joke was this?

"It will be just for a short time, but I must leave. I can assure you that you will be in great care. Your wonderful teachers will still be hear to teach. And as for who will be taking my place in my absence, Mr. Shay Winfred was kind enough to repay a favor for me. You will meet him tomorrow morning."

While others broke out in whispers, Harry's eyes remained on Dumbledore. What had come over him? Why would he leave Hogwarts, and of all times to do so. How ironic was it that Harry was, just a few weeks ago, thinking about how thankful he was that Dumbledore was here to protect them. Watching him now, Dumbledore seemed different. There was an uncertainty in his stare.

Harry turned to Hermione and Ron. They both were still fixated on the staff table. Hermione was the first to turn back. She shook her head.

"Things don't just...happen like that," said Ron, his eyes still on the staff table. "I mean...they should give us some kind of warning or something."

"This is just..." Hermione was still shaking her head. "Stupid. Why would he just leave?"

"He said he had something to do," said Harry.

"Why are you so calm?" Hermione stared at him. "Dumbledore is leaving."

"And what are we going to do?" said Harry. "Run him down and nail him to the door."

"Might as well," said Hermione, she glanced back at the table. "I bet 'she' is having a field day. Why would he leave us here with "her" of all people."

"Oh, Im not hearing this," said Ron, getting up from the table. "You are obsessed Hermione."

Harry got up too, not wanting to hear Hermione continue to rant.

"It is getting ridiculous," said Ron, as they walked down the halls of Hogwarts. "I mean, thats all she talks about. "Signora this" and "Signora that". Do you really think Dumbledore would allow anyone into the school that is a supporter of you know who?"

"No," said Harry. "But maybe he being a little to trusting on her part."

Harry's mind flashed back to their little chat a few weeks ago. He hadn't told Ron and Hermione, and wasn't exactly sure why, but he decided to keep it to himself.

"And of all things to teach," continued Ron. " 'Defense' against the 'Dark Arts'."

"I dunno," said Harry. "There's not much we can do about it."

"How about you ask Dumbledore," said Ron. "I'm sure that he'll tell you something."

"Maybe," said Harry.

They were the first to arrive in the Dark Arts classroom. They took their usual seats, and continued to talk. A few minutes later, the door slammed open. They were stunned to see their teacher standing in the door frame, it was the first time she arrived to class anywhere near on-time.

"What ar' s'you doing in herre?" said Signora, looking at the both of them.

"We have your class," said Harry. They both gave a dumbfounded look at her.

She looked around the classroom, mumbled something, and then preceded to walk to her desk. Harry and Ron sat there, not really wanting to be in the classroom with her. They could try and justify why Dumbledore would choose her as a teacher all they wanted, but she still remained questionable.

"W-why are you here so early?" said Harry, trying to get rid of the awkward silence.

"Uh...'Dat girl," she spoke, while fumbling through papers on her desk. "She keeps to complainin' 'bout me. So I 'ave to arrive on time...don't see v'why tis so important."

"Uh...yeah," said Harry.

She glanced up at the both of them.

" 'Ey," she said, pointing at Ron, who slightly jumped in his seat. " 'Ur dat boy."

"Me?" said Ron. "What boy? I' just...no-one-important."

" "Ur, dat banker who keeps s'going in all dee tombs," she continued, her glare at him becoming fierce." In he'gypt."

"That's not me," said Ron, with a sort of nervous laugh. "M-maybe...your thinking of my brother."

She sat back in her chair, moving her eyes away from a reluctant Ron. "V'whatever."

Ron quickly fumbled for the nearest book and opened it in an attempt to exclude himself from any future conversations. Harry's eyes began to wonder around the classroom. He'd never really looked at it this year. Under Signora's command it had taken a strange change from what it was before. There were objects on the shelves that Harry had never seen before. It sort of reminded him of Dumbledore's office, but different. There were boxes over flowing with books, bottles of colorful substances leaning on each other in an arraignment of shelves, yards of expensive looking cloth draping over mysterious object. It all seemed like an ancient library of some sort.

Harry's attention was diverted when the door slammed open again. This time it was Hermione who stood in the frame, she glanced from Harry to Ron to Signora, who preceded to look out the window. She then walked to sit next Ron, and gave both of them a menacing look.

They all sat there in silence for a few minutes, and then, slowly the rest of the class took their seats around them.

"Ready den ar' we?" said Signora, standing up. She looked around the class for a few moments and then continued. "V'well if s'your not, dat tis s'your problem. So...today s'you will learn 'Ciro'. Say eet."

"Seero!" said the class as a whole.

"No, no, no," she said. "Not like dat. S'you must role s'your 'R'."

"Maybe it would help if we could understand what you are saying," said Malfoy, the Slytherins laughed with him.

At this comment, Signora walked over and slapped him on the head. Those around him gasped at the sudden movement.

Malfoy stood up immediately. "I can report you for that," he spat at her.

"V'well Im sure dee others can testify to my justification for such actions," she said, with a wry smile.

"Yes," said Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Dean, and possibly Neville, but it was to low to understand.

"You just wait-" Malfoy pointed a steady finger at her.

"V'what?" said Signora. "Are s'you going to try and 'ave me fired. Good luck! Maybe s'you and dis girl can have a try at eet together."

"Now," she continued. "Take out s'your wands and spread across dee room and do what...s'you do."

"What does this spell do anyway?" said Ron as he stood a few feet in front of Hermione.

"Ciro!"

The whole room felt a gush of air, and Ron flew backward towards the wall. Neville and Harry helped him up.

"It's the wind," said Hermione, looking quite satisfied.

"Well, you could have warned me," said Ron, walking back to his place.

"It's not like you didn't deserve it," she sneered at him.

Before Ron could protest, Signora walked up behind both of them. Hermione didn't even look at her.

"I Could feel dat all dee way across dee room," she said, looking at Hermione.

"Thanks," Hermione said, with much satisfactory.

" 'Dat wasn't a compliment," Signora continued. While she was speaking, she began to role up the sleeves to her black cloak " 'eet needs to be more controlled."

At that moment, time seemed to stop for a moment, as Harry glanced down at Signora's forearm. There, upon her flesh, was the answer to their questions. That wicked skull that was on all of Voldemort's followers, was there on her. He was not the only one to notice, Hermione, Ron, and Neville saw it too. The only one who didn't notice was Signora, herself.

"Ciro!"

All of their attentions were diverted, as Ron was sent across the classroom. This time there was no gust of air felt on the other students faces. Harry and Neville ran to pick him up.

"I can't breathe," said Ron, as he clutched his chest.

"Yes, s'you can," she said. "Give 'eet a minute."

As she walked away, Hermione gave a glance of warning towards Harry.

"Not here," he muttered at her.

When the bell rang, Ron, Hermione, and Harry were the first to get up and leave. The second they were out of the classrooms, Hermione opened her mouth.

"If that's not proof I don't know what is!" she said to them.

"Alright," said Harry. "I'll go and talk to Dumbledore."

"Is he still here?" said Hermione.

"Let's hope so," said Ron. "Bye."

Harry and Hermione walked to potions not speaking to each other. He knew Hermione's head was spinning with thought, as was his. Dumbledore should still be here, and it was a great excuse to get out of potions in the meantime.

Hermione walked to her seat, while Harry walked straight towards Snape.

"I need to go see Dumbledore," Harry said quietly. "It's important."

Snape gave him a dis-interested look. "Fine," he said.

Harry was surprised at how quickly he agreed. As he left the classroom he gave a last look at Hermione, who nodded at him.

Harry walked quickly to Dumbledore's office, hoping that he'd still be there. As he finally reached the office, before he could figure out a way to get in, someone came out.

"Harry Potter!" said the man, picking Harry up, well over a foot, off the floor.

"Do I know you?" said Harry, as he was reluctantly put down. He looked up at the man who had to be at least 7 feet tall.

"No," he said, smiling at him. The man that stood before him had a large crooked nose that dominated his face, and his brown hair was tinted with grey. He continued to smile down at him. "I'm Shay Winfred," he said, putting out his hand, which Harry shook. "Your temporary Headmaster."

"Nice to meet you," Harry replied, smiling back at him. "Has Dumbledore already left?"

"I'm afraid so," he said. "But he left me something for you."

"Really?" said Harry, as Mr. Winfred fumbled through his grey robes.

"Here," he said, pulling out the letter. "He said you'd come to get it."

"Thank you," said Harry, taking it from his hand.

"Well, I must be off," said Mr. Winfred. "I've been promised a marvelous tour by some guy named Peeves."

"Really?" said Harry. "Well, welcome to Hogwarts."

"Thank you very much Mr. Potter."

He and Harry walked in opposite directions. Harry immediately began opening the letter. And as it fell open on his hands, he read:

Although suspicions may arise in your head, I can assure you that you are in good hands. I will return shortly, until then, be safe.

Albus Dumbledore

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