Disclaimer: A manipulation of characters, events and timeline of the Harry Potter world for my own creative devices. All characters and the Harry Potter universebelong to J K Rowling...my own creations (who are just visiting) belong to me!
Firstfew chapters as a taster, but thisfic is completeso all is to follow once beta'ed!
-CHAPTER ONE-
Planchette and Raven
Harry Potter couldn't help but grin broadly as he hurried along King's Cross station. He didn't care if his scruffy appearance and luggage trolley, loaded with a large trunk and a caged twittering Snowy owl, got him looks of astonishment from the people milling about the platforms. They may have thought that this boy with his untidy black hair and bright-green eyes seemed usually cheerful for someone heading so eagerly to a new year at school. But then Harry Potter wasn't just an ordinary boy and the school that he attended was certainly not just an ordinary school, but Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry caught a glimpse of red hair as his best friend, Ron Weasley, made a dash through the brick wall between platforms nine and ten to the magical platform nine and three quarters that lay beyond. Harry waited until no one was paying him any attention and then with a smile, he too disappeared through the wall.
"Alright, Harry?" Ron called as he rushed to help his friend load his trunk into the luggage carriage. "Hermione and Ginny have gone on ahead to grab us a compartment."
"Cutting it a bit fine, aren't we Potter?" drawled a thin, pale boy with white blond hair as he purposely pushed pass Harry nearly knocking him off his feet. Draco Malfoy and Harry had been rivals from their first day at school. Malfoy was arrogant, nasty and considered himself above everyone else. And Harry's hatred for Malfoy was second only to that of the Potions master, Professor Snape. Malfoy strolled towards the Hogwarts Express with the equally contemptible Pansy Parkinson giggling at his side, while Crabbe and Goyle brought up the rear.
"And here I was, hoping that Malfoy might have missed the train…" grumbled Ron, who loathed Draco Malfoy just as much as his friend.
The boys boarded the train with just a minute to spare; there was a sharp whistle and as the clock on the platform struck eleven the Hogwarts Express started to move.
"Down here!" called Hermione Granger, who was standing a little way down the carriage holding open the sliding door to one of the compartments; Harry guessed that Ginny Ron's younger sister must already be settled inside.
As Harry and Ron struggled to make their way down towards Hermione, they glanced through the windows of the other compartments that were now filled with Hogwarts students. The first years looked nervous, clutching at their schoolbags and cages while the older pupils caught up on holiday gossip or swapped the cards found in packets of chocolate frogs. Over the babble of excited voices, Harry heard the familiar groan of Neville Longbottom, who had managed even before they had left the station to lose Trevor, his pet toad.
In the compartment, next to the one Hermione stood impatiently still waiting for them, sat a handsome young man dressed in a dark chocolate velvet coat. He sat in the corner of the compartment eating, what appeared to be, a large packet of cookies.
"I see the new teacher has wasted no time breaking out the rations." sighed Ron as he flopped down onto the cushioned seat of red velvet next to Ginny, thinking about the squashed jam sandwiches he had for the journey. "I wonder what subject he'll be teaching? I mean it could be Defence Against the Dark Arts if Lockhart doesn't come back..."
"And Snape doesn't get the job," Harry added hopefully sitting down next to the window opposite Ron.
"Or, then again…" said Hermione, as she shut the compartment door and sat down next to Harry and pulled out the 'Standard book of Spells Grade Three' book out of her bag.
"Professor Henge who taught Ancient Magical Artefacts has retired, so he could be replacing him."
"Oh, yeah," agreed Ron trying to sound well-informed as he let Scabbers out of his cage to sit upon his lap "I forgot we'll be doing that this year along with the Care of Magical Creatures, I wonder who is going to take that subject?"
About an hour into the journey, they were joined by Neville, clutching tightly onto Trevor, and Seamus Finnigan, who told them that Draco Malfoy and his cronies were all gathered in the next carriage.
"I still think it would have been better if Malfoy had suffered a little accident over the holiday," grinned Ron "You know turned into a toad…no offence Neville."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded glancing up from her book, while Ginny burst into giggles.
"Come on Hermione," Harry agreed "You've got to admit Hogwarts would be an even better place without him."
Around half past twelve, there was the much welcomed clattering of the refreshment trolley outside in the corridor.
"WHAT?" cried Ron indignantly, when the witch in charge of the trolley told him that there weren't any chocolate frogs left. "But there has to be some left; you usually keep several boxes on the trolley!"
"Four boxes usually last the whole journey but I'm afraid the gentleman in the next carriage has just bought the lot," the witch returned with an apologetic smile "I think he was foreign. But I've got plenty of Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, Liquorice Wands…"
"Gentleman…sounds more like a pig to me," Ron muttered under his breath, he had been saving his meagre pocket money all summer in the hope of finding some of the newly issued trading cards.
"Well, I would like two Cauldron Cakes please," said Hermione.
"And a bag of Fizzy Whizbees." added Ginny
"Of course my dears" smiled the witch as she took the money and handed over the items before disappearing down the carriage with her trolley.
"Oh, come on Ron, stop sulking and have one of some of my Whizbees" offered Ginny as she tore open the bag and thrust it under her brother's nose.
"I expect the new professor collects the cards of Famous Witches and Wizards," suggested Harry.
"Yeah…" replied Ron, sulkily wondering how many of the new cards the new teacher would have found in four boxes of chocolate frogs.
"Maybe he'll trade with you Ron…"
"Trade what little bro?" grinned Fred Weasley as he stepped into the compartment.
"Please don't ask," groaned Ginny before Ron could grumble about the chocolate frogs.
"Eh, right, then I won't…" added George peering over his twin's shoulder, "Is it alright to ask if any of you lot has seen Oliver Wood, only we want to get his support when we ask McGonagall about upgrading our Cleansweeps. Now the Slytherin team have all got those Nimbus two thousand and ones, we think the Gryffindor team should all have better broomsticks."
"I've haven't seen him go pass our compartment," replied Hermione and Ginny almost in unison. Neville and Seamus both shook their heads, while Harry could help but feel a tingle of warm excitement at the thought of playing Quidditch again.
A sudden excited shriek, coming from the carriage occupied by Malfoy and his cronies, brought Harry's thoughts back from flying his broomstick.
"What on earth is Pansy shrieking about?" asked Hermione obviously distracted from her book. with an inquisitive frown.
"How should I know," scoffed Ron "If you are that bothered, then why don't you go and find out."
"I'm not…it's just…"
"Hang on Little Miss Inquisitive," chuckled beamed George pulling his wand from his robe and gentle tapped it against the compartment wall just above Harry's head. "Curiositus!"
"It's an Eavesdropping Charm," explained Fred, "We sent away for it from the back pages of The Quibbler magazine, only don't tell mum, it's been driving her crazy all summer how we've managed to stay one step ahead of her."
"Yeah," grinned George who was now putting his ear to the carriage wall and beckoning the others to do the same, "We do have a reputation to up hold."
Harry scrambled up onto the compartment seat, and pressed his ear to the wooden panelling that was situated just above the soft, padded seating. To Harry's amazement the wall that he had expected to be quite hard and solid felt flimsy, as if paper thin, the muffled voice now as clear as he was in the next compartment with them.
"Really Draco you're not just saying that?" shrieked Pansy Parkinson.
"I said yes, didn't I?" drawled Malfoy nonchalantly, "You're the only girl in our year that I would consider going out with…" There was a chuckle from Crabbe and Goyle which quickly died away, Malfoy had obvious thrown them a disapproving glare.
"Oh Draco…wait until I tell Millicent Bulstrode, she's be so green with envy, she's had a crush upon you since the first year."
"That's quite enough," smirked Fred pretending to stick his fingers down his throat.
"Curiositus satisfies," said George, tapping his wand against the wall again. Harry gently place his palm against the surface of the panelled wall only to feel it returned once more to firm, hard wood.
"Well…" said Ron, settling back down in his seat and giving Scabbers a stroke "They make a good couple they're just as horrible as each other if you ask me."
"Yeah," agreed Seamus, "Slytherins stick together!"
They all fell silent after the Weasley twins had left, still determined to rope Oliver Wood into their scheme to acquire new broomsticks, each lost to their own thoughts and expectations of the coming new school year. Harry pressed his forehead against the cold glass and watched the countryside get smothered by the approaching night. He wondered what lay ahead for him; maybe this year would be a bit more normal, Harry smiled well as normal as it could be at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Professor Dumbledore removed the half-moon spectacles that were perched upon the bridge of his long crooked nose; he sighed heavily and massaged his temples.
"Is everything alright Albus?" asked Professor McGonagall, peering at him over her own small, square glasses. "I've just seen Lucius Malfoy in the corridor with a face like a thunder cloud. I do not like the man myself but for the sake of the school I hope that he hasn't reconsidered donating those antique books to the library, what with the storm damage and our funding being cut back by the Ministry of Magic…"
"No, Minerva, Lucius Malfoy still intends to honour his donation, he's desperate to have an influence how ever slight in the school, and thankfully since his dismissal from the board of school governors his influence will be just that; slight," replied Dumbledore, returning his spectacles; his bright blue eyes sparkling at Professor McGonagall. "But that hasn't stopped him voicing his concerns regarding the appointment of our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. As headmaster of Hogwarts I welcome the books under the circumstances I would be foolish to look a gift horse in the mouth…even if this one if not watched closely is liable to bite your fingers, but I will not be swayed or threaten, I still appoint the members of my teaching staff."
"I take it from that, Severus has been passed over for the position again?" Professor McGonagall asked cautiously. She had encountered Professor Snape on his way to the dungeons in an especially foul temper.
"I dare say that Severus would make an excellent Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, his knowledge on the subject is second, only to my own, but I have my reasons as you well know…besides it would be far harder to replace my Potions master, I am not denying that Severus has his faults but I've never known someone as adept in the art since Professor Bane," Dumbledore paused, as if to change the subject and handed Professor McGonagall an old Hogwarts year book.
"Unfortunately, Lucius feels that the witch in question is perhaps a little young for the position; Miss Raven has been living in Prague where she has been working for a werewolf rehabilitation centre, remarkable concerning that she was nearly killed by one." Professor McGonagall looked down at the small photograph of the grinning seventh-year Gryffindor, broomstick in hand and clad in the gold and scarlet robes of the house Quidditch team.
"I can't see why Lucius Malfoy would have any objections to your choice Albus; Morwenna Raven was a very talented, likable and brave young witch, considering what happened to her family she excelled all our expectations. If I recall correctly Miss Raven did not just impress Professor Stoker with her flare for the Defence Against the Dark Arts, but she was also Professor Snape's star pupil!" replied McGonagall placing the year book gentle down onto the desk.
"That is true," replied Dumbledore, almost wistfully. "I believe Professor Stoker was hoping that Miss Raven would accept his invitation to become his understudy following her graduation but alas it was not to be."
"Yes…that was all a little strange, she left so suddenly, didn't even say goodbye…" Professor McGonagall sounded more than a touch hurt.
"Alas it would seem that the past has returned to haunt me," replied Dumbledore darkly.
"Albus…are you talking about the Amulet of Sekhmet?" McGonagall raised an eyebrow and gave Professor Dumbledore a questioning frown.
Professor Dumbledore picked up a parchment that lay on the desk in front of him and handed it to Professor McGonagall to read.
"I received that by vulture yesterday, from my good friend Petra Sphinx."
"The head of the Defence Against the Dark Arts League in Cairo?"
"Yes…She is so the high priestess of the Temple of the Golden Pyramid and now that Voldemort's followers seem to be regrouping, it has been decided that the Amulet of Sekhmet must be returned to the temple, where it can be destroyed rather than risk it falling into their hands." Professor McGonagall shuddered at the mention of the Dark Lord's name, there were very few among the wizarding world that could bring themselves to utter it without fear.
"I do not understand Albus; why didn't you inform the Ministry of Magic when you first discovered that the Amulet was missing?"
Professor Dumbledore regarded her for a moment before answering, he looked mournful and pained.
"Pride…disbelief… or because it would mean having to admit to myself, that perhaps I had made a serious error of judgement."
"Surely you don't believe Severus took the amulet…" Professor McGonagall gaped in shock. "But I thought there was no evidence against him and besides he hates you-know-who…" she still couldn't bring herself to say Lord Voldemort. "Severus came over to our side just before he was defeated".
"Yes…Severus is our spy in the enemy camp so to speak and at great personal risk to himself. I trust him on that account…everyone deserves a second chance don't you think? And that is why I've decided to allow the person who did take the amulet the chance to return it."
"Then you've know all along who took it?"
"My suspicions have sadly been confirmed," Dumbledore sighed. "I only wished that I knew why…but I must ask you not to speak about this matter any further Minerva," Dumbledore said, as he rose from his chair and fixed Professor McGonagall with an unusually sternly gaze. "My main concern is getting the amulet back…but I think we should go time to the Great Hall, the train should be pulling into Hogmeade'.s station just about now."
After the ceremony in which the patched, frayed and extremely dirty wizard's hat had sorted the first year students into the four school houses, everyone tucked into the wondrous feast that magically appeared before them. Harry helped himself to several pork chops, a large scoop of creamy mash potato, peas, and carrots and then smothered it all in thick, rich gravy., whereas Ron opted for a tender rump steak to accompany his chips, onion rings and mushrooms.
Once everyone was approaching their last mouthfuls of desserts, Harry and Ron had two slices of chocolate cake each, but Hermione was content with her single portion apple pie and cream, Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair.
"Before you all leave to settle in, I have a few start-of-term notices to give you."
As the usual warning to the first year pupils regarding the dangers of the Dark Forest, reminders that magic should not be practised in the corridors and Quidditch trials were being announced, Harry scanned the row of teachers. Professor Dumbledore sat in the middle of the table with Professor McGonagall sitting stiffly on his left and next to her was the tiny little wizard, Professor Flitwick, sitting upon several cushions so that he could see over the edge of the table. Hagrid sat on the other side of the Headmaster and he grinned at Harry, giving him a wave as their glazes met and then drank deeply from his goblet. Glancing further down the table, Harry recognised the handsome, young man from the Hogwarts Express sitting in the chair next to Professor Snape, he seemed to be chatting away merrily while the hooked-nosed potions master idly nodded, as he prodded at the remains of his pudding with his spoon.
"No Lockhart then…" Harry whispered, to Ron giving him a nudge.
"It's no great loss," replied Ron, giving the new teacher a glare; he still hadn't forgiven him for buying the entire stock of chocolate frogs. Harry guessed that the man was about the same age as Snape, only he was remarkably handsome, chiselled, tanned features, bright blue eyes and shoulder length chestnut hair that was neatly swept back into a thick sleek ponytail. He was dressed in a plum suit and the same coat of dark chocolate velvet. Next to him, Professor Snape in his usual black garb, pallid complexion and sour demeanour bore more resemblance to a sullen corpse than a school teacher. As Harry watched the two teachers he was surprised to discover that Professor Snape wasn't giving his companion the abhor that he usually reserved for any new member of staff, in fact he was being quite civil.
"…and as a special treat, there will be a fancy-dress Halloween Ball held for the years, three and above. But now, I have the pleasure of announcing two new appointments to our teaching staff, welcoming back two former pupils. As you know Professor Henge who taught The Study of Magical Artefacts has retired and is now travelling in Mexico, I believe…" Professor Dumbledore looked towards Professor McGonagall who nodded with a smile.
"And so stepping into his formidable shoes (it was rumoured that Professor Henge had been a giant) will be Professor Planchette who before accepting the position here at Hogwarts taught for several years at Beauxbatons. Dumbledore gestured to the man sitting next to Professor Snape who smiled broadly, flashing his perfect, brilliant white teeth. "I am sure you will all join me, in giving him a warm welcome to the school," Dumbledore beamed, as he clapped his hands. All the teachers, even Snape, applauded graciously. Professor Dumbledore waited from the hall to fall silent again and then continued with his announcements.
"Alas, due to other commitments, Professor Lockhart shall be unable to take the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes this year," Professor Dumbledore explained, his vivid blue eyes seemed to searched out Harry's with a knowing twinkle. There were groans of disappointment from some of the female pupils and Ron couldn't help but grin at Hermione who tried her best not to look disgruntled.
"Must still be suffering from that memory charm that backfired on him," Ron chuckled. But Harry didn't hear him; he was watching Professor Snape who held his spoon in mid-air, listening intently to Professor Dumbledore with interest, obviously he was curious to know whom he had been passed over for the job yet again. I bet he's sore, Harry thought with a grin.
"But fear not…" Professor Dumbledore continued with a smile. "For we have been fortunate enough and a very short notice to procure the services of a young witch who has kindly consented to fill in and is more than qualified to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. Unfortunately Miss Raven couldn't make it here in time to enjoy the start-of-term banquet with us tonight, but she assures me that she shall be here to take the third year Gryffindor's class the day after tomorrow."
At the mention of the new teacher's name, the colour seemed to drain from Professor Snape's already sallow complexion, the spoon falling out of his hand, hitting the dish with a dull thud. Harry frowned; judging by Snape's shocked reaction, this appointment, Miss Raven, was the last person he had expected to teach the subject. Harry glanced across to Hermione who was looking equally as puzzled it seemed she was just as curious as Harry to know the reason why.
TBC...
R&R!
Note:I haven't forgotten dear Remus Lupin, who will join the Chronicles later, and I must apologise for the dodgy French accent!