Heya, Miss Moony here. I wanted to issue a Christmas Challenge to anyone out there who was interested. Let me know in a review or email me if you're going to respond.
Requirements: -Mentions of whiny!Draco
-A child of at least one member of the Trio in a Father Christmas hat
-POV of someone who's not in the trio
-Sections for various years (in Hogwarts and after), at least one of which must take place at Christmas, and at least three of which must be post-war
My own attempt at this, "In Years Gone By", will be posted on Christmas day, and the dedication will be to anyone who accepts the challenge, so please do let me know!
- Moonshadow
------- I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good -------
Miss Moony would like to dedicate this chapter to Niahiem Davids for being the first reviewer.
Miss Moony would also like to thank wolfawaken, Entre-loup de Madame, Kara Adar, Nooka, Tina, Esmee Squalor, ZzSheilahzZ and scotgirl for reviewing.
Computer's not fixed, but I decided to rewrite this chappie, as my sister was taking too long to mend it.
------- I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good -------
Chapter 8
The next morning, Luna, along with her fellow professors, ate breakfast in the Great Hall. It was very similar to their own time period, and she hadn't really been expecting anything else, but there were a few small differences, including the absence of humbugs.
The most notable of these, however, was not the food, but the students and staff. Luna had been introduced to Professor Kettleburn, a wiry young wizard with one arm who taught Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Hamilton, the McGonagall-esque witch who taught Divination, and Professor Yorgiry, the kind and elderly witch who taught Potions.
Really, she thought, the lack of Snape's influence in Potions classes must be good for the students, so she was very surprised when she overheard Yorgiry telling Hermione that there were very few students who did well. 'Potions is a tricky subject,' Yorgiry said to Hermione, 'They'd probably do better with a stricter teacher. I was thinking of taking on young Mr. Snape as an apprentice in a few years, if he shows interest in pursuing the subject.'
At that point, Harry, who had clearly also been eavesdropping, choked on a piece of bacon, and Flitwick turned around and asked in all earnestness if he was okay.
It only took a moment to dislodge the bacon, but the momentary disturbance had caught the attention of a few of the students, most particularly, six boys at the Gryffindor table…
-------
The Gryffindor table was comfortingly familiar when James Potter arrived in the Great Hall for breakfast, with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew at his side.
The four marauders, as they had been dubbed by Professor McGonagall back in second year, greeted their fellow Gryffindors either cheerfully or flirtatiously, especially Alice Hart and Lily Evans, who was James' long-time crush (and who he had proclaimed to be his one true love).
'Guys!' The exclamation came from the last of the seventh year boys, Norman Horell. He waved them over happily, and gestured to the seats he'd saved for them, across the table from himself and his younger brother, Sam.
'Mornin' Norm,' Sirius greeted the ginger-haired boys, 'Sam. How were the holidays?'
'Same as usual,' Norman said, sticking out his tongue in a mock-disgusted manner. 'Dad managed to make it back in time for Sam's birthday, though, for once.'
Their father was a professional Hit-Wizard, which meant that he was often away on improtant assignments for the Ministry, and so rarely was he able to spend much quality time with his two sons and his daughter, who would be starting at Hogwarts next year.
'Any idea who the newbies are?' Sam asked quietly, when there was a sudden choking sound from the Staff table.
The question was directed at James who, as the new Head Boy, was more likely to have an answer than any of the others. He shrugged, looking up at the six new faces present. 'I suppose one of them could be the new Defence Professor, but they look younger than us,' he said.
There was a brief moment of silence when the boy stopped choking, and James met his eyes briefly, noticing for the first time that the younger boy looked a lot like a Potter, excepting the brilliant green eyes, which were strangely reminiscent of the Avada Kedavra.
The sound of Dumbledore's spoon tingling against his goblet brought James out of his scrutinising stare, and the Hall was once again silent, looking up at the Headmaster.
'There has been a slight change of plans since last night, as we have had a most astonishing application for the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, and I pleased to welcome Professor Hermione Grant, Professor Ronald West, Professor Ginevra West, Professor Luna Cox, Professor Neville James, and Professor Harry Patterson, who have decided to share the responsibility of teaching you between themselves.
'I would be most grateful if you could show them the courtesy that should be given to all Professors at this school. Thank you, that will be all.'
James took one more look at the Professor who had now been identified as Harry Patterson, and once again noticed his eyes. Slytherin Eyes. And James hated him on sight.