The Sword of Excalibur
(Okay, so far, so good, I would like to thank Erin (FlaseHope) for reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh I forgot the disclaimer- I own only the plot line. Enjoy)
Chapter 3
Everyone in the Great Hall turned around looking at the stranger with a keen interest as she wasn't wearing Wizarding robes, but muggle clothing consisting of a black spaghetti top; black leather trousers; black hair drawn back into a black pony tail; black eyeliner and mascara around the eyes. She also had black nail varnish and wore black high heeled leather boots.
'Ah…welcome back Professor,' Dumbledore started (again), 'Ladies and gentlemen please welcome your newest Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Prue Halliwell,' he started clapping once more, only this time a few people followed his lead, Harry and Hermione being a few of them.
The feast finished with an incredibly lighter mood than it had begun in and before everyone went to their common rooms and bed it was time for the Start of Term announcements.
'To start with the Forbidden Forest is exactly that - forbidden,' Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flickered in Harry's direction and then the Weasly twins direction, 'Magic is strictly dis-allowed in the corridors, and there have been several new items added to Mr. Filch's list of prohibited products, these include: Screaming Bats and Camel Dung Bombs. The full list of four hundred and twenty one products is posted on Mr. Filch's office door. But, sadly, more pressing matters have arisen. I will not hide the truth from you, as you deserve to know it. Last year Lord Voldemort arose, along with him taking one of our own, let us have a minutes silence for Cedric Diggory a loyal Hufflepuff until the end,' there had been a collective gasp and shudder through out the hall from almost everyone, those who didn't were Dumbledore himself, Hermione, Harry, 'and that new Defence teacher,' Hermione thought.
A minute passed, however, it seemed like so much more time than that, Dumbledore started talking again, the regular twinkle in his eyes strangely devoid, 'If I find anyone in this school connected to Voldemort, they will be expelled and sent to Azkaban with their powers stripped.' everybody shuddered at that, having your powers stripped would be a punishment worse than death, from a wizards point of view. It would also be very humiliating, having to adapt to living as a muggle; having to live with the guilt of dishonouring the family name, 'Now, time for bed.'
There was a scraping benches and the entire school started walking and talking, heading toward the huge Entrance Hall doors before branching off to go to their respective common rooms.
As Hermione walked past the Teachers table, many of the teachers had already left, she herd Professor Dumbledore and the new Professor Halliwell talking,
'Don't you think that was a bit melodramatic Professor?' she asked.
'Well I will not hide the truth from my students, you have to respect them for them to respect you, that means no lies, no hiding the truth. They deserve to know these things.'
The walk to the Gryffindor common room was a joyous walk. Every now and then one of the trio would bring up a funny or adventurous memory when they walked past a bit of the castle, enjoying every minute of it. When they reached the common room, they gave the portrait of the Fat Lady the password, which just happened to be, 'Bring down the Evil,' thought up by Hermione, who'd given it to the Gryffindor head, which was Angelina Johnson, one of the Gryffindor Quidditch Chasers.
As they climbed in the portrait, they found the rest of the fifth years sitting in the farthest corner of the common room. The trio went over to see what was going on. They were talking about how they'd help in the up coming war against Voldemort, as they were all at risk as they were not only Gryffindors but also Harry's friends, they also pledged their loyalty to Harry and Dumbledore. When Harry joined them, they each said this to Harry, Hermione could see the tears welling up in his eyes, at the great friendships he had gained over the past four years. After Hermione and Ron had also pledged their loyalties to Harry and Dumbledore, Hermione suggested that they all go to bed and catch up on the Summers doings and gossip in the morning and tomorrow, as they always ended up with Double Potions with Professor Snape and Slytherin first thing on the first day back. She also said that if they wanted to start helping the war effort that they should be rested and ready to learn all they can, even if it was from, and she quoted, 'A greasy haired git.' Needless to say the group was shocked as she had just insulted a teacher.
They bid each other good night, each wondering what the next day and year would bring.
(Okay so how was that??? I hope it was okay, your feed back is appreciated, I know that I haven't yet mentioned anything other than the song about Excalibur, but it is coming I promise. I also didn't mean for Dumbledore to say that much, but I couldn't really compress it even more. Well like I said….feed back is appreciated. Ryan.)