A/N: It's been months since I last posted a part. Again I lost interest in fan fiction etc, plus I finally got myself a job and I've never found myself bored enough to turn back to my fiction again. However the fact that Charmed has gotten so bad this season has given me inspiration to continue my alternative season 7 (which has not yet been posted and I want to get the first few stories drafted before I release any parts of it) and hence this story as well.
So here you are. A long part. Enjoy!
Harry, Ron and Hermoine didn't see any of the others involved with the prophecy for the rest of the summer. They had although been informed of their safe arrival and Dawn, being their age and wanting to make new friends, kept in close contact with the three using Hogwarts owls.
Finally the time came for the students to return to Hogwarts. With only four students now attending Hogwarts from Grimmulad place Mrs Weasley was able to book a couple of muggle taxis, telling them to pick them up at the end of the street rather than the house itself. They had taken the English cabs once before to the train station and this time was no different. Owls began to go crazy; especially Pig, as well as some of the twin's fireworks (which were a present to Ginny) also went off. One went up the taxi drivers pants. At that point he had thought it was a rat and was extremely fearful when handling Ginny's things after that.
"Hogwarts will certainly be different this year," Hermoine said once she and Ron had returned from their prefect duties.
Harry, Neville and Luna had been the only three in the carriage until Ron and Hermoine returned. Ginny had stayed for a little while to catch up with Luna, but after a very strange conversation about Luna's holidays Ginny decided to go find Dean. Meanwhile Harry and Neville had been discussing their own holidays and their O.W.L results.
"The truth about Voldemort is finally out. Oh stop flinching Ron it's just a name. And I'm sure Malfoy won't be strutting around like he owns the school as much anymore. His father can't exactly do anything in Azkaban" Hermoine continued to state the obvious, but no one seemed to mind, it was nice to hear that their sixth year shouldn't be as terrible as their fifth.
Harry looked out the window. Hermoine was right this year was going to be different from the last. There were new friendships to form and prophecies to prevent. Plus there was there would be a new defence against the dark arts teacher. Which made Harry began to think about who it could be.
"I wonder who the new defence against the dark arts teacher will be" Ron said as if he read Harry's mind. "Do you think it will be one of the Charmed ones? Or maybe Willow will teach? Or Giles since he is a watcher which is sort of like a teacher"
"I don't know. They don't know our magic, but they do know a lot about defence" Hermoine answered, pulling out the next level spell book to read. "I guess we'll find out"
---
The teacher's table in the great hall looked quiet odd with so many people sitting at it. Harry quickly noted that all the Scoobies and the Halliwells were there except for two of them, Leo and Dawn. Dumbledore had explained that whitelighters had other charges to take care of, so Harry assumed that's where Leo was. Dawn's disappearance was a little more confusing to Harry until-
"Over here!" Dawn called to her new magical friends at the grifndoor table. She waited until they sat down until she spoke again. "Dumbledore said that I should take some classes to learn more about this wizarding world at the sixth year level even though I'm 18. He believes that I may have some sort of power. That weird hat thing sorted me a few hours ago. Less public humiliation since I figured a sixth year student being sorted wouldn't be a common event. It's so cool I ended up in Gryffindor. After all Buffy tired to send me away before the battle with The First and I drove the car back. No coward here."
Happily the three Gryffindor congratulated Dawn and introduced her to their friends. Before further explanations could be brought fourth, the sorting begun. After cheering on a new batch of brave Gryffindors, the feast began. Dawn was amazed at the amount and variety of food before her. Being a British school Dawn had expected 'Bangers and mash', but there were no mashed potatoes but rather large roasted ones instead. Once the plates were cleared the students looked to Dumbledore for his usual start-of-year speech.
"Good evening everyone." Dumbledore began.
He continued by explaining the rules to the first years and remind the others of them too. He also added that after last years Weasley twins departure and their new shop, Mr Filch would not be tolerating any kind of trouble. Ron and Ginny smiled proudly, knowing their brother's memory would be around Hogwarts for a long time. Dawn had told them in one of her letters that Filch grunted every time he walked past the section of the twins swamp.
"Now to get to what I expect you all to be most curious about. I'm sure you've eagerly awaited the arrival of a new defence against the dark arts teacher, and rather than one new face you are presented with seven. The truth has finally been realised. Voldemort-" many of the students and a few teachers flinched. "has in fact risen. Although many of his favourite death eaters have been captured.."
Ron and Harry's eyes darted to Malfory who was scowling at Dumbledore.
"…Voldemort is still out there and we need to strengthen our youths defences" Dumbledore continued. "So this year Hogwarts is adding something extra to its classes. These seven will be titled as assistant professors. Each has a different background to most of you so you will learn a great deal more about the world around you than you would from just the one professor. They will be appearing in different classes to assist you in them. Since I know most of you would like to settle in to your dorms I suppose I better introduce them all to you"
Dumbledore smiled to the students. His idea was brilliant. Besides Dawn, the rest were too old to be in any of the classes so he decided helping in classes would not only help them learn about the wizarding world, but also help the students learn more about other kinds of magic and defence.
McGonagall had also asked Dumbledore if he had considered inviting the Americans into the Order. Dumbledore admitted he had thought about it, but they would have enough to worry about during the year without commitments to the Order.
Starting the introductions Dumbledore gestured to the Halliwells on his left.
"Piper Halliwell, and her son Wyatt"
Piper gave a small wave and a small smile. She was a little nervous about being at a table above all these students, but at least she didn't have to speak. Wyatt wasn't upset at all by all the people.
"On her right is Paige Halliwell. Next is the third Professor Halliwell, Phoebe. These of course are the Charmed ones."
Dumbledore spoke with proud as the students looked up at the three sisters with confused looks on their faces. Most had not heard of them before and had no idea why Dumbledore hadn't elaborated on it.
"Moving on to my right is Rupert Giles, who is a watcher to Miss Summers. The flaming redhead is not in fact a relative of the infamous Weasley's but Willow Rosenburg. The young man next to her is Xander Harris. And finally we reach Buffy Summers. The original vampire slayer who I'm sure you've heard of in you're dense against the dark arts classes.
Now the question most of you are probably thinking is who is the new defence against the dark arts teacher? But in fact is it not 'who is' but it is 'who are' the new defence against the dark arts teachers. As I said before there are new threats to our world and we need to be prepared. Therefore the new defence against the dark arts teachers are the teacher assistants I have just introduced. They will teach you two at a time all they know about defence. After last years 'one opinion' defence against the dark arts classes I'm sure you can do with a few fresh views."
The Americans had been a little nervous when Dumbledore suggested they teach their own class. Willow for one was worried about how it might affect things like exams. Dumbledore had already explained to the group what OWLs and NEWTs were. However with an outline from the ministry examiners, the group could adequately prepare the fifth and seventh years for their externally marked exams.
- -
For the first time since his first lesson, Harry actually looked forward to potions with Snape. (McGongall had done something to allow Harry to participate in Snape's class). Piper had told Harry in passing that she would be attending the first sixth year potions lesson of the year. Harry was delighted by this as it meant that he's marks weren't going to be completely up to the slimly git.
Even the dungeons felt warmer when the Slytherins and the Gryffindors entered. Harry had only met Piper in that brief meeting and she was a lot older than him, but he felt comfortable with her. Harry was drawn to all the Americans for some reason. He felt that they understood him even though he barley spoke to any of them besides Dawn. It was odd, but Harry knew the feeling well and it was certainly real.
Malfoy glared at Harry as they passed each other going through the doorway to their spots. It didn't faze Harry at all. It wasn't his father in the wizard prison. Snape appeared only slightly happier than Malfoy. Harry knew he could not be pleased by a group of untrained teachers would be teaching the class he wanted. Yet Snape and Piper were in a great discussion as the class entered.
"Today we will be learning the healing potion from my assistant, Professor Halliwell" Snape began in his natural cold tone.
He never bothered to greet his students or congratulate his students on entering N.E.W.Ts potions. Not even on the first class on the year.
"Uhh…maybe we should just go with Professor Piper. It'll get a little confusing having 'professor Halliwell' for three teachers" Piper added smiling nervously.
She had never taught anyone before and wasn't all that keen on being up the front of the class. Piper always sat at the back in high school and never thought much about the class from her teacher's perspective. Piper was also a little worried about leaving Wyatt with Madam Pomfrey since Leo had charges to take of and everyone else was in class. The nurse had taken care of Wyatt a couple of times during the summer break, but it was only when Piper and Leo went for a short walk, not for an entire day.
"Professor Piper and I will be grading you all at N.E.W.T level. It will be difficult as it is amazing of how some of you ended up in my class" Snape's eyes flashed at Harry.
Harry just glared back. McGongall had informed Harry that he deserved all of his O.W.L marks and they were not given to him because of the fact 'he was the boy who lived'. It was something Harry had been questioning since he received his potions grade. She had also somehow convinced Snape to allow Harry into his class. Harry knew no details about it, but he suspected that there had been a deal made as Malfoy was had been entered in transfiguration after classes had begun.
"Now this is a potion that you won't find in your textbooks. In fact it's from my book" Piper motioned to the table where the recently grown book of shadows lay open. "My powers may not require wands like yours, but the potions are basically the same except ours use more common ingredients brought from muggle stores. If you have of this potion it will save you a trip to Madam Pomfrey and I'm sure she'll be grateful that the sixth years know this. I have heard of the many dangerous things at Hogwarts, believe me this will come in handy."
Piper smiled at the class knowing she had concealed information. Her, Paige and Leo had created the potion as a substitute for a whitelighters healing powers. It has taken them a while, but it was worth it even if it meant giving themselves a few cuts in the process. All the potions in the book of shadows were mostly vanquishing potions, so Piper wanted to create the healing potion in order to show Snape she could handle taking the potions class. Hargid had foretold her about his attitude so Piper wanted to be on his good side the beginning. She enjoyed making potions and felt that teaching it to others would come more naturally to her than other subjects like charms.
As they began to brew the potion Piper watched Harry and Hermoine. Ron had not made it into Snape's potions class, at first he was not upset by it until Hermoine pointed out that he needed it to become and Auror. Ron remained miserable for about a day or so, but Harry and Hermione reminded him that there were plenty of other options for him.
Piper smiled at the students, not knowing exactly what to say to them. It was the first time Piper had gotten a real chance to talk to them since their meeting. However words had not failed Hermoine.
"Professor Piper, what is in your book? You say it has information that you cannot find in textbooks. I find some textbooks I've read insufficient." Hermoine asked not truly knowing what the book was.
Piper couldn't help but to give a small laugh at the innocent curious student.
"Miss Granger, the book is called the Book of Shadows" Piper decided to use a formal tone when in class. "It's been in my family for generations. Ever since my ancestor from the 1600's, Melinda Warren started writing in it"
"She's the one who created the um…prophecy of the Charmed Ones?" Harry asked unsure of the correct term to use.
Hermoine looked at Harry with pride. She had searched for information on the Halliwells as well as the Slayer and retold it to Harry and Ron. Something finally had sunken into Harry's brain from Hermonie's
"10 points to Gryffindor." Piper whispered as Snape checked Malfoy's cauldron. Then she continued at normal tone. "The B.O.S as we call it for short, is a collection of spells, potions and information on various magical things written by those in the Warren line."
"Wow. I should start my own Book of Shadows" Hermoine was impressed.
"I think that would be a great idea. It's handy to have a list of all the potions and charms you've learnt in class," Piper answered. She was beginning to see why Professor McGongall had spoken so highly of Hermoine.
- - -
It had been a week since the group had arrived at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had found them a place for all the Americans to share their own common room. It was also to be used as a place to formulate plans and ideas on how to stop Voldemort gaining the power of the first evil. Harry, Ron and Hermoine were also invited to join in the common room chatter every night. Dawn had decided to stay in the same dorm with Buffy so she was also often split between her own common room and the Gryffindors. At first it was a weird experience spending their nights with the professors, but it became less tense when the teenagers learned that the new professors were very similar to themselves. Besides Giles and Leo, they weren't that much older than the students (as compared to their other professors). Piper was over ten years older than them, but they got along fine with her. The common room soon became very connivent, as the professors could help the students with the homework set.
It was late in the week when the common room was full for the first time. Usually there would be a few people missing each night doing various things such as patrolling the hallways (on Dumbledore's advise) learning about astrology or simply taking time to explore the castle. However on this night no one seemed to have much to do, so they all gathered in the common room and just chatted among each other.
"She's really odd. One of the students told me that no one has died at Hogwarts for fifty years, yet Trelawney continues to predict a death every year" Phoebe stated.
"She's a fraud" Hermoine added to Phoebe comments.
"Not always" Harry said quietly. "So far Trelawney's made three real predictions"
Quickly, realising she had upset Harry Hermoine apologized. Harry accepted it, but remained quiet while the others continued to talk. Dawn looked at Harry with sympathy. Her situation had been different to Harry's yet she knew what it meant to be different.
"Muggle studies is certainly interesting" Xander changed the subject.
He had decided to see what it was all about seeing as he was a muggle. Plus the professor had asked him to come since he was a pure muggle.
"These witches and wizards are really naive about the real world. Took me forever to try and explain just what a telephone was. For the first five minutes they were pronouncing it fely-tone"
Harry cracked a small smile at Ron remembering when he had shouted at Vernon on the phone. Ron went a little red remembering the embarrassment.
"Ahh…I love the fely-tone" Buffy teased with a large grin on her face.
Xander picked up a cushion and attempted to throw it as Buffy, but it had gone completely off course and headed in Paige's direction. However she had her wand in her hand and used the banishing charm to send it back. Hitting Xander right between the eyes.
Dumbledore had told the witches amongst the group that the magic's could cross over with each other, if the person had a great deal of power. So naturally the Charmed ones and Willow had brought wands. Dawn too when Dumbledore had told her that the powers of the key could be harnessed through a wand.
"Go Paige" Willow cheered impressed with the charm performed.
"Thanks" Paige was proud of herself. "I guess I did finally learn something other than swish and flick"
Harry couldn't help but too smile at Paige. He was himself remembering when they had learned the swish and flick back in the first year and what it had lead to. Ron caught his eye and grinned, remembering the incident with the troll as well. Harry's mood was slowly lightening from the mention of the prophecies before.
"I envy you." Buffy suddenly stated. "The closest thing I've got to magic is dying a mystical death and that was not fun"
"Yeah the slayer strength isn't really a power or anything" Xander sarcastically replied with a dopey smile.
Buffy, Xander and Giles had all also brought wands from Diagon alley. They had all cast Wiccan spells before even if the magic wasn't all that strong in them. Giles had lost most of his power when Willow had stolen it from him during her rage. With practice all three 'muggles' could built up power through Wiccan magic, which would eventually, be able to cross with wand magic. However Dumbledore did tell them that this would take a lot of time, effort and extra dose of practice.
- -
It had been calculated that the blood of enemies would be mixed on Halloween. Dawn had remembered the time when she was out with a vampire on the day evil should normally rest. So at the beginning of October the Charmed Ones and the Scooby gang decided to begin their own private defence lessons. Hermoine had suggested that they'd need some and of course Harry was to teach.
At first it was a little odd having a sixteen-year-old boy teach them defence skills, but once they got the hang of it was just normal. Harry would handle magical defence while Buffy and Giles taught physical defence. Xander aided them with this as the role of the attacker. Paige would then immediately heal his wounds, which meant Buffy didn't have to be soft on him at all.
The defence classes seemed to be going well. Everyone had been making progress. Harry felt he was back in his DA class and was proud of all of them. Buffy also had a familiar feeling. It was much like when she was training the potential slayers.
Everything seemed to be working out fine at Hogwarts, besides the usual hiccups. Filch was on the warpath as normal. He was extremely bitter when Umbridge left. She was the only one who he believed truly ran Hogwarts the way it should be run. Malfoy was his natural trouble causing self, even if his father was in prison. Harry, Ron and Malfoy were constantly giving each other dirty looks in the halls and Malfoy attempted to jinx them a few times.
Then a week before Halloween it happened.