Chapter Five - An Act For
The sun was just breaking the horizon, bathing the Black Forest in crimson light, but many residents of the still mostly quiet castle had been awake for much of the night. It is said that a red dawn is the result of a bloody night, and this was no exception. The battle that had gone on was the most direct and disastrous yet, claiming many lives from both sides of the conflict. The Ministry crews were still cleaning the grounds of the fight, which had been a small village some distance from England's eastern coast. The Order members had returned to Hogwarts, some carrying wounded others, having determined that St. Mungos was not well enough secure.
"Thank you, Poppy," said a tired Albus Dumbledore, as he watched her and her assistants caring for their charges. "Please inform me if there are any problems, and on any changes of condition. I believe I will be needed in my office." With that he turned and left the slightly chaotic hospital wing.
Upon reaching his office, having taken up the winding stairs with a muttered 'Blood Pops', Albus heaved a steadying sigh and pushed open the door. Immediately he was barraged with a stream of indecipherable blather from various officials within the room. Ignoring the noise for a moment, the headmaster walked in serenely, patted Fawkes, and made his way to his desk. This type of attitude typically worked to disabuse people of the thought that he retained his sanity, and so shut them up, but alas, it seemed most present were familiar with it. Realizing that, Albus sat down and gazed at the wizards and witches before him, many of whom were still speaking.
"Quiet, now, one at a time. Honestly," snapped Professor McGonagall. "Quiet! Would you please . . ."
"Silence, at once!" snarled Severus Snape, when the crowd no more listened to his colleague than they quieted at the headmaster's antics. The others' voices stilled, though several people sent the Potions Master nervous glances. Severus smirked.
"Thank you, Severus, Minerva." Albus smiled his usual cheerful grin. "Well, Minister, other members of the Ministry, I understand you have some questions as to the night's occurrences. Now, one at a time."
"Dumbledore, I want to know what happened." Fudge exclaimed, waving a finger in the air in a distracted manner. "Many an Auror is in St. Mungos right now! I have to know what put them there."
"Now, now, Cornelius. I myself am not all together certain as to everything that transpired. The Order's part was as simple as the Aurors'. We engaged the enemy, after having been warned of a raid on that village." Albus twinkled at the Minister, though to some it appeared forced.
"I know all of that, Albus! You know what I am talking about! Where were the villagers? The town was deserted! You must have some idea as to that."
Albus sighed, "You know I do not, Cornelius. We merely received the warning about an attack and when we arrived, the enemy was there, seeming as stunned as we were. And before you ask again, no we do not know who sent the message."
Fudge glanced around, appearing to stall for a moment. Then to gain some time, stated, "Enemy, Dumbledore? Don't you mean Death Eaters?"
"Minister Fudge, I have given you my position on that. While some may have been Voldemort's followers, he was completely vanquished, as well you know, so therefore, they are no longer under that title."
"And what would you have us call them? The Mysterious Cloaked Men?" Fudge intoned darkly. Albus ignored the nearly desperate statement, as another voice spoke up.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, why would a warning message be sent to you and not to the Ministry? The Aurors are the proper law enforcement." stated a somewhat affronted red haired man.
"I am aware of that, Mr. Weasley, but the individual was apparently aware of the Order, and decided we should receive the message. Or perhaps we were the easier of the options to reach." Albus said, privately thinking it had more to do with not wishing to deal with the Ministry itself. That, or maybe figuring the Order was more likely to actually do something about it.
Percy Weasley pressed his lips in a hard line, hearing the unspoken statements. When the leader of the Order did nothing but gaze at him, he turned to the Minister in frustration.
"Minister, it is apparent that we are not going to learn anymore, so do you feel we should return to the Ministry?"
Glancing at the other officials surrounding him, and then back towards Dumbledore, Fudge nodded. "Yes, yes, Weasley. We need to speak to the media and allay concerns the public may have. Let us go." Turning to the headmaster, he inclined his head in curt acknowledgement. "Dumbledore."
"Cornelius, you can not allay all concern of what is happening, not when there is significant reason to be worried."
The Minister only nodded once more and Flooed out of the office, followed by his colleagues and lackeys. When they were gone, Albus sighed and accepted a headache draught the Potions master was now offering. Closing his eyes warily, the headmaster downed the contents of the vial and set it on his desk. He smoothed his beard with one hand and opened his eyes, looking at his younger associates. Both looked as tired and battle weary as he felt, as they leaned against the edge of his desk.
"Well, now that's over, time to start the day. If we didn't have that staff meeting today, I would tell you both to go get some sleep." Albus rose and took out his wand, righting his robes and casting a quick refreshing charm over himself. Snape and McGonagall followed suit, Severus scowling slightly.
"Come now, Headmaster, you set these damned meetings, don't tell me you can't postpone this one. What is so important about today's?" Severus questioned, nonetheless trailing after Albus as he made for the door.
Dumbledore just smiled, the twinkle in his eye returning as he held the door for his comrades. The Potions master glanced at the deputy headmistress, now somewhat apprehensive as to what may yet happen. Minerva smiled, but shook her head to tell him she had no idea and led the way from the office. The two wizards followed, Albus closing the door to a trill from the phoenix inside.
Once the three professors had reached the staff room, they found most of the rest of the faculty already within. They quickly walked in and found their usual places: Albus and Minerva near the front, framed by the large bright window blazing with the morning sun, and Severus near the back and seemingly in near distance to the door, standing as though poised for escape. He never did enjoy these staff get-together's. He nodded a greeting at the new Arithmancy professor, his own godson, Draco Malfoy. After a moment the room quieted and all turned their attention to the headmaster.
"Good Morning, everyone. I do apologize for being late, we were somewhat indisposed." stated Albus, smiling. Those that knew about the night's events chuckled wryly. "Now as you know, this meeting is not one of our usual ones. I called it instead because I felt it would be best."
"Best for what, Headmaster?" Hermione questioned, wincing slightly as she turned her bandaged neck.
"Well, to . . ." Albus was cut off as a knock sounded at the door. He continued as he flicked his wand at the door to allow entry. "To greet our newest addition. I believe you are acquainted with our new Defense professor?" With that, the door swung open and a man strode inside.
As the room's occupants stilled in shock, Harry Potter stepped towards the main table, slinging back his cape to reveal his form. Half of the professor's mouths gaped at the man before them, who appeared completely at ease. He stood grinning jauntily at them, clothed in very classically cut robes in a shade of brightest teal. The outer layer was slightly open revealing matching trousers and shirt, the latter of which was only half buttoned. Around his neck hung a chain of what appeared to be platinum and on his head, perched at a rogue-ish angle, was a wizard's cap, lined along the brim with matching metal. As he nodded his head in greeting and swept up to the headmaster, the others could see he had his hair secured with a band at the nape of his neck, and his wand was attached to his hip.
"Headmaster Dumbledore! What a pleasure to see you again," Harry drawled, pulling off white gloves and tucking them in to his robes. That done, he reached out a hand and shook Albus', seemingly indifferent to the slightly startled look on everyone's faces.
"Harry? Harry, well, it's wonderful to," Albus cleared his throat, "to see you, my boy."
Another toothy grin from the younger wizard met this statement, as he stepped back to allow the headmaster to stand. As his old mentor clapped a hand on his shoulder, Harry nodded and glanced around at the others in the room. Hermione looked very pale, little better than the red headed man next to her, gripping her hand. Both she and Ron Weasley stood and moved nearer to their old friend.
" . . . Harry? Oh, Merlin, I . . ." Hermione's vocabulary had diminished in shock.
Harry swept off his hat, and smiled slightly at her. "I seem to remember that nothing could render you speechless."
"Things change in eight years." Ron stated in a tone somewhat sharper than he had meant to use.
"Indeed they do, Ron. But it is certainly good to see both of you again." Harry glanced away for a split second, before again meeting the other wizard's eye.
The silence stretched awkwardly for a moment, before Harry once more grinned and took Hermione's hand. Looking at her with a sparkling green gaze, no longer concealed behind glasses, he bowed gallantly and placed a quick kiss to her knuckles. She blushed, much to everyone else's amusement, and he released her hand and straightened smirking. Letting out a small laugh, Hermione stepped forward and hugged him, quickly followed by Ron.
Stepping back, Hermione found her voice. "Harry. I can't believe it. Where have you been?"
Shrugging an elegant shoulder, Harry waved a careless hand, and glanced around once more. "Oh, here and there. Some excellent places- New York, Paris, Milan- you know, just traveling. Not doing much of consequence." With a grin at the other members of the faculty as well, he finished, "It was quite entertaining."
"Entertaining?" Ron questioned incredulously. "You barely kept in touch, at all. Yet you just traveled and did nothing?"
"Oh, I didn't do nothing, Ron, just nothing of consequence." Harry's grin widened and he swung back to the headmaster. His cape flared briefly, before settling back along the material of his robes. "Then Headmaster Dumbledore sent me a message, requesting my presence as the new Defense professor, and how could I say no?" Harry bowed slightly in deference, then rose and replaced his hat upon his perfectly styled hair.
Albus chuckled a little, though he, like the others, were partly off-guard. However, even the flippant attitude of Harry's didn't stop the rest of the staff from welcoming home the returning hero. After many greetings and exclamations, along with promises to meet later to rehash, the staff room slowly emptied. As both Snape and Malfoy attempted to slip out with the parting groups, the latter complaining that no meeting had been held when he had arrived, Albus waved them over. Severus scowled, wondering if he could pretend to have not seen the gesture. Unfortunately, Draco grabbed his arm and wrenched him forward.
"If I have to greet the Returning Golden Boy, I am not doing it alone." the younger wizard hissed in Severus' ear.
As they reached the remaining small group, Severus tried to lessen his sneer. Looking Potter up and down, he decided not to bother and allowed his lip to curl. Potter just smiled winsomely at him, appearing too daft to notice Snape's expression. That expression modified to disgust as the younger wizard tipped his hat in fanciful formality.
"Professor Snape. How nice to see you well, I'm sure." Harry stated mildly. "And you, Malfoy. I had heard you were here now. What have you been teaching, Ancient Runes?"
Draco raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Arithmancy. I believe your old friend Granger is the Ancient Runes professor, isn't that right? And this is my first year, as it is your's, Potter."
Harry threw out his hands in a mocking gesture. "I heartily apologize, Professor Malfoy."
Draco glared, then turned on his heel and left the room. Snape curtly nodded to Potter and made to follow his godson, but the headmaster stopped his escape.
"Severus, if you would, I had hoped that you would join us in my office. There are a couple of things I wished to discuss with Harry here and I would like your help." Albus smiled innocently as Severus' eyes glinted pure venom.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, what is this about, may I ask?" Harry inquired, glancing at the cuff of his robes and not appearing to care a whit.
"First, Harry, I must insist you call me Albus. You are a professor now." Albus smiled, as Harry nodded at him. "Now what I wish to talk about, is the current state of things."
Harry arched a careless eyebrow. "The state of things? What ever do you mean? Oh, are you speaking of those dreadful attacks around England. Most distressing. But I don't see how it concerns me." The others glanced at each other. "I see. Because I fought Voldemort. Well," Harry said, now stifling a yawn, "I'm afraid I don't have anything to do with fighting anymore. Gave that up a long time ago. Much too dangerous, when life could be filled with more pleasurable pursuits." He grinned at the others.
Albus blinked and glanced at Minerva, as Ron and Hermione stared shell-shocked. Appearing not to notice, Harry again fiddled with his cuff, pulling the material a little. Snape studied him, sneer intensifying as he caught sight of silken lace at the edge of the younger wizard's sleeve. When Harry finally looked back up and raised an eyebrow at his now colleagues, Severus decided he'd had enough.
"Well, Albus, doesn't look like you'll be needing me after all. No sense bothering Mr. Potter with disturbing details that might damage his constitution." Snape silkily managed, though he had a mind to berate both the headmaster and his new appointment quite extensively. Turning to look at Dumbledore and ignoring Potter's wounded toss of the head, Severus continued. "You might wish to have someone show," he leveled a glance at Potter's expensive clothes, "the dandy to his rooms, lest he muss his appearance getting lost. Oh, and welcome home, Mr. Potter."
Before anyone could speak, Severus spun around and stalked from the room in an imposing cloud of black robes. Harry stared after him, crossing his arms across his chest, then turned back to the others. Both Ron and Hermione didn't meet his eye and fidgeted slightly. McGonagall appeared to be containing a smile, as Albus gazed between the door and Harry.
Finally he smiled and addressed the newest of his staff. "Pay no mind, Harry, you remember how Severus can be."
Harry gazed at the headmaster for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, upsetting his cape once more. "No matter."
Albus nodded and glanced at the others. Their smiles seemed slightly less genuine than usual, but Harry seemed not to notice.
"Now Harry," Dumbledore stated, "I would still like you to come speak with me in my office, if you wouldn't mind."
"Certainly, Albus. My pleasure." With another airy grin, Harry swept from the room, his cape billowing behind him.
The others in the staff lounge glanced at one another, then moved to join him. They walked through the hall to the corner where Harry was waiting and appeared to be searching for something in his robes. He looked up at them, still with his charming grin, then continued perusing his pockets.
"Lose something, Harry?" Hermione asked, her speech a little hesitating.
"As a matter of fact, it appears so. I must of dropped it in the lounge." Harry nodded and walked back to the room, calling over his shoulder, "I'll just go get it, I'll be a short moment." He held up a hand, before disappearing into the staff lounge.
Harry quickly strode across the now deserted room and retrieved the glove that had fallen from his pocket. As he made to turn and go to the others, his gaze caught sight of the window. Taking a step towards it, he then stilled, taking in the view of Hogwarts' grounds and the forest in the distance. All trace of flippancy had removed from his features, the glint in his eye hardening, as he studied the familiar images.
With a smile that barely appeared more than a frown, he sighed. "Welcome home, indeed."
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A/N: Thank you to all reading! Hope you enjoy all the upcoming parts!
Just a note to a reviewer, though I don't typically do this, and I promise not to again.
pi - Thank you for your information on my Latin terms, I'm doing my best and I don't mind corrections. Feel free to email me or leave your email.
-Zenn
Moonpoetess03 at yahoo dot com