Chapter One : The Grand Entrance
Minerva is in distress.
Her hands are clasped against the rim of the podium where she stood at, sweeping her gaze at the students in front as they waited for her to deliver her speech before the term officially starts.
The headmistress was more anxious rather than antsy. It really has nothing to do with her dreading of a threatening event to happen since the war ended. Meanwhile, she wouldn't mind starting a new one on her own should an imprudent young man decide not to show his face as what they'd agreed upon.
Sigh…
Could this day get any worse?
The sorting has ended. The main course is served, and yet… the one she's expecting hasn't shown up yet.
Could it be…?
No… No… It's likely never going to happen.
He made an oath to the school and that commitment was bound to his magic. Whatever doubts her mind is taunting her will be pointless if she allows it to travel that way, but…
Heavens! For the love of Merlin!
This is driving her insane. Her patience is slipping. Her mind is blowing. She made a mental note to drop by Poppy's office later for a stronger calming potion.
There's no point in worrying. She keeps telling that to herself. He can be here any moment now, but then again…
Where on earth could that boy would possibly be, then?
Minerva cast a tempus charm showing five minutes before twelve o' clock. It's getting late. They have to send the children to their dormitories whether he'll make it or not.
She couldn't delay the night any further.
Minerva recounted the last time they had talked. She can swear it before every book that an owl has been sent to each staff member informing them of the schedule. Meaning, he couldn't have missed his own letter telling them to be here at least a day before the kids arrive by train.
She considered other chances. After all, he's a busy man. He may have been caught up in the middle of something important before he got here today.
Or he could've sent her a note if that had been the case! She grumbled in disdain.
Her worries arise. Her fear escalated…
Oh, how can she not be?
That boy has the tendency to lure trouble in, no matter where he is! There's no such thing as a safe place for him.
Could it be that something happened to the man along the way?
Minerva shook her head. She trusts the kid. He's more powerful than what his name could bargain him for. Oh! She had every reason to gloat way greater than any wizard, history has ever heard of. There is nothing that comes across his path he can never handle, that boy.
Why? He led a war once. How is it different from dealing with mad ruffians?
Her mind drifting off somewhere else, the headmistress recalls for any subtle hints he may have dropped on their previous chitchats. The image of the canny young man emerges with that devious smirk on his face. She doesn't pretty much like what he has said.
"Watch out, Minnie. I'll make it there with a bloody climactic entrance. I'd like to see their jaws dropping on the floor and their eyes popping wide open once I make it to hall." His words were tailed off by a vicious cackle that almost sounded like the late Tom Riddle himself. Minerva thought he was only joking so she decided to ignore it. She didn't heed to the warning at all.
Whatever it is, she has no idea what the boy is scheming. The lady could only pray in silence hoping it wouldn't be as bad as those who preceded him.
She had seen worse. From two evil red-headed twins to four blasted Marauders who became every headmaster's nightmare throughout the years.
He couldn't be worse than them, now, could he?
Minerva brushes the horrifying memory off her head. This time, she found herself reminiscing a particular incident back when the boy was in his second year. He and his friend have this sheer dumb luck of stumbling into trouble including breaking into the school on an enchanted car and wandering across dangerous chambers through a girl's bathroom.
Mordred help her! She hoped he wouldn't think about doing the same stunt this year or she wouldn't survive it until summer.
Howbeit and all that, whatever he has in mind, Minerva is confident he wouldn't be a prat to let her down. The man is too noble for a person to turn his back away in times of need no matter how big nor small the favor is.
That is why she has driven her attention back into the students who are now halfway through their dinner, catching the meaningful glances of the half-goblin, half-wizard charms master clearing his throat, silently asking her what's wrong since she's been standing on the podium for more than a minute now without saying a word.
Pulling herself back together, the headmistress raises her voice. "Students… welcome to another year in Hogwarts. Before I send you back to your dorms, I wish to make some few announcements…" she went on with the usual reminder about the forbidden forest still off-limits to anyone who didn't wish to die a horrible death. Not to mention, the magical creatures would appreciate not to be disturbed in their humbled dwelling place. She also proclaimed this year's newly designated Head Boy and Girl much to the delight of the higher years.
Finally, when it was time to mention a few names that will be a new addition to the staff members, her worries have increased to a rapid state, causing her veins to lightly palpitate. And yet, despite the uneasiness, she went on with her drawn-out speech.
"… as it is no secret to the past generations of its unusual occurrence, this year, our school will have a new professor to handle the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class." She paused. "He may be known to be the best among the others. Even so, I am honored to be granted another retiree from the Auror ranks to take the post, although certain circumstances may have caused a few delays in his arrival to the school."
She was keen to say a lot more when a roaring thunder cuts her off from introducing the new Hogwarts teacher. Minerva looks up to the ceiling followed by the others. Some students lifted their finger upwards to point at the sudden movements of the clouds. One first year Ravenclaw nudges at the boy on her side, explaining, "it's bewitched to look like the bright night sky" which he returns with an approving nod.
However, it no longer looks as bright as how it had been. Thick dark clouds swarm into a dappled swirl, forewarning a raging storm coming from outside the castle.
They watch in horror as lightning cut crazy zig-zags into the firmament. Moments later, there came another rumbling noise of thunder that caused shrieks from terrified children.
Then, it suddenly appeared. It first came out as a brilliant flash that flickered and waned. One would think they only must've imagined it. It was not a bolt, streaking to earth, but more like an almighty shadow of a gigantic bird with long, elegant tailfeathers and three pairs of powerful wings. Its call resonated deafening thunder strikes causing a lot of shrieks and gasps among the crowd.
"Blimey!"
"Is that…"
"A thunderbird?"
There were murmurs all over. Confusion fill the entire hall seeing the flying magical bird.
"What on earth is it doing here? It's supposed to sense an incoming danger, isn't it?"
All heads turn toward the Headmistress for answers, but Minerva decided to wait for what it is about to do next. Perhaps she can have their Care for Magical Creatures explain to them later what's going on should it be needed.
It must've felt its presence was recognized. The magnificent creature has finally decided to reveal itself from hiding behind the clouds. It makes another thundering roar declaring power beyond imaginable whilst striking fear in a crowd of terrified spectators.
The magical bird managed to get into the castle as if it came directly from the sky above the ceiling. Its iridescent wings spread widely gliding above them in huge circles. Roaring occasionally to stake authority.
Minerva could hear the ramblings behind her back. They wanted to know what gave away their visitor to suddenly show up.
Did it come to send them all a message?
Is the war not over yet? Are they all still in danger?
Finally, it dawned upon her. A feral smirk curls up on her lips that can match that of the Slytherins' as soon as she realizes something what nobody else didn't.
"No." She responded. Her smile wouldn't leave her face at a minimal.
Talk about dramatic entrance…
He did make it on time.
Minerva didn't have to wait that long before she decides to call on the bird and put an end to his crazy antics. He'd proven his point. There's no need to keep the young one's in their dumbfounded faces up the whole night. They have to be up early in the morning for their first day of class.
As it did one last roar that nearly shook the castle's grounds, the thunderbird hovered in mid-air for a second before gliding slowly into a descending pattern. And then, as it reaches a few feet below ground level, it plummets like a missile and drops itself into the stone floor with a loud BANG. The flying creature burst into a column of thick white smoke, sucking itself to shrink into a more solid form resembling a gigantic white cocoon.
The smoke dissipated as if it was suctioned by a vacuum machine, leaving in its trail a tall figure of a man— a wizard – in full regal robes walking gracefully toward the head table. One hand carries an expensive-looking cane with a handle bearing the head of a Griffin carved out of ivory while the lower part held the symbol of the Caduceus— a magical staff that once belonged to the ancient Greek god, Hermes. It has two identical serpents entwining on opposite sides facing each other while the base is surrounded by a pair of golden wings.
There was a loss for words.
Shock fill the entire hall.
Not a pin drop could be heard. The only noise deafening their ears was the tapping of footsteps clip-clopping on the stone marble.
The young man strode tall and magnificent. The fine clothes he wore bore a statement… a grandeur of pureblood aristocracy. That's what it is. What was left of his Animagus form is a bunch of Long Black feathers decorating his shoulders on both ends fastened by an emerald epaulette on top of an expensive-looking mink fur coat and ebony cape. His regal look was complemented by a black three-piece suit underneath, black tailored pants, and pointed Oxford shoes made of dragonhide adorn his footing.
The man flashes a wide grin before an amused McGonagall rolling her eyes. The others remained stunned and quiet on their feet. Must have hadn't recovered from the astonishing sight yet.
"As much as I find your transfiguration quite impressive, I expect a relatively valid reason for almost missing the feast, Mister Potter." She drawls in a slightly indifferent leer.
"My apologies, Minerva." The young man, Harry, as he was called, responded. His authority intact, yet the tone of respect in place, his gallant voice, so lovely and yet so powerful, booms across the hall. It induces a tingling sensation in every girl or boy's spine and make one cringe in fear all at the same time. "I was caught in the middle of a storm on my way across Wales. Unfortunately, I couldn't get myself out of it – Derek, close your mouth. You'll catch flies." He nudges to a tiny Gryffindor first year gaping like a fish as he passes by – eyes widened to find out the Great Harry Potter knows him by his first name.
How did he know it?
"I was expecting an owl notice since this morning." There's admonition and relief in the woman's lips whilst trailing her gaze at his footsteps with her scrutinizing glares.
"Promised you a grand entrance, didn't I?" the man cheekily replied. Standing next to her, Harry faces about in full grace and surveys the crowd. "Hullo, everyone!" He greeted with a childish wave of enthusiasm.
She tries to hold down a snort before Minerva faces forward and clears her throat. Her stern face back on, she continued, "as I was saying, Mister Harry Potter will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts from the first years to the seventh. My hopes remain that he'll manage to make his stay longer thus, breaking the record."
There's a mild clamor of chattering and grumbling among the students. Most are shocked. Others were confused. Slowly, as it finally sinks into their younger brains, a gradual applause began to fill the air. It gets louder and louder as it gets longer. Even the house of serpents in the fourth table made catcalling noises much to the headmistress' displeasure.
Harry groaned a moan of protest. "Honestly Minerva, I'd prefer they would call me Professor Potter or Professor Black. I find it more comfortable and less awkward." Clearly, the name still annoys him despite the years of his overexposure to the wizarding public.
She ignores him by going on providing more instructions to the students. "Professor Potter has graciously accepted to take the post despite his busy schedule. Given his name and all, I expect everyone to show their respect towards him the way a teacher or a guardian deserves. I would also encourage everyone not to give him any reason to turn you into anything that flutters, crawls, or slithers. He said he hasn't learned any reversal spells to undo them yet." She pauses as Harry gave an approving nod behind her, relishing the joy on their horrified faces. Harry reminded her to make it clear he doesn't want to be ogled at as The-Boy-Who-Lived or Lord Potter Black by idiots who couldn't string two words together when talking to the young man.
She added a few more words including a new list of banned products Mister Filch insisted her to remind them of, amusing Harry contentedly before sending the children off to bed. Soon, the shuffling of chairs and the thumping of footsteps followed. Prefects directed the first years to their respective houses but not before younger ones came in to approach their Lord of the House curtsying or bowing their heads to pay their respects and trotted back into the crowd.
"So much for being the head of multiple houses, eh?" a cold sneer makes both adults turn to their side. Tall and blonde with deep aristocratic accent, a man accosted towards them with a dignified and yet warm greeting.
"Professor Malfoy, pleasant to join our company." Minerva twitches her lip. It's funny the way she talks to him reminds Harry of that of a former teacher. Someone he used to despise back in the earlier years.
"Tell me something I don't know." The man leers back with a cocky grin. "Heir Malfoy."
"Lord Potter-Black," he greeted. "Such an honor working with you here in Hogwarts."
The raven-hair extends a hand. This time, his smile looks brighter and more genuine. "I'll have none of those, cousin Draco. Can't say I don't feel the same way though." He added. Harry loved the occasional bickers and banters with this guy. It doesn't lead to anything serious unlike their younger selves where they practically loathed each other in school.
That was until they both realized they were close relatives when they got older.
"Professor Malfoy has proven his exceptional prowess in the art of brewing after he successfully outdid his predecessors." Minerva inserts proudly. "Mind you. The Slytherins love him the same way they looked up to Severus."
Harry raised his brows, "Professor Slughorn, I wouldn't be surprised, but Snape? Really, Draco?"
The blonde rolled his eyes with a vague air of annoyance. "You forgot I inherited my godfather's vaults, Potter." He sneered. "That includes his extensive knowledge in brewing potions. And stop mocking me when you benefit a lot from it yourself." He was referring to a not-so-known pharmaceutical guild that has been under the family operations for more than five decades.
With a chuckle, the lord of the house of both Potter and Black shakes his head. "I tend to forget that sometimes." He didn't sound regretful for saying it, not the very least. Harry would never blame himself for it. There are moments he forcibly nipped his memories of the man out of his thoughts. The same bastard who showed nothing but loath and hatred towards him as his way of protecting him since he was little.
"I assumed you'd prefer staying in one of the private quarters, Mister Potter. I already alerted the house elves to make it ready before you arrived." Minerva says wryly. As headmistress, she has absolute control over the castle. But as the Head to three of the school's founders, Harry practically owns the place. Thus, granting him ultimate access to the property and indulge on its hidden amenities – An indoor pool resembling an underground cave, a theater or more like a gaming room complete with both muggle and magical gaming facilities, never mind the luxury of living in one of those lavish suite rooms nobody knows have ever existed.
Harry slightly tilted his head, a grateful smile drawn on his face. "Thanks, Minnie. I'd probably be at the West Wing Apartments if it's available." He loved that part of the castle right next to the Gryffindor common rooms. It has large glass windows with a nice view of the Black Lake. Not to mention, it features a grand terrace where he can spend the afternoon reading a book under the shady trees that grew on its stone railings.
Minerva calls for a name and a Hogwarts elf pops out before them. He introduces himself as Dusty and rushed to inform the others in making sure the requested room is available for their Great Master Potter to sleep in.
As customary among noblemen, Harry turned to face his soon-to-be colleagues, "Minnie, cousin of mine. I know it's quite late but I wonder if I can fancy you both to a cup of tea?"
The old lady was prompt to turn away the offer. With a hearty laugh, she waved a hand off him. "It's half past midnight, young man. I should turn in for the night. Perhaps some other time?" Harry nodded. "I shall see you both at breakfast. Goodnight, gentlemen."
"Goodnight, Minnie/Minerva." They both nodded in unison.
As it was late as she pointed it out, Harry and Draco thought it a nice idea to follow suit. The blonde offered to walk him to his new room with the real intention to snoop around the luxurious West Wing Apartments.
They went past through the main hall that would lead them into the grand staircases. Harry was greeted by several resident ghosts, including Nearly Headless Nick.
"What a pleasant surprise! Your Majesty, welcome back to Hogwarts." A fog of a nobleman bows in reverence. Doing so caused his barely severed head to drop onto his shoulders but the thin portion of skin held it from totally falling off his neck.
Harry rolled his eyes instead of stopping the dead man from calling him with worthless titles. "Thanks, Nick. There's no crown here, see?" He tapped his head pointedly.
"No crown yet." The ghost corrected matter-of-factly.
Malfoy snorted next to him. "There's no point arguing. You'll never win."
"Whatever, Dray." Harry retorted.
The men walked past the portrait of the Fat Lady that's supposed to lead them to the Lion's Den and headed straight into the hall across the West Wing on the farther end. To anyone, it looked nothing but a hall of portraits with dozens of Suit of Armors lined up as if guarding the place, but to the founders' heir, it's a Royal Family residence.
The portrait of a Knight with an oversized sword riding on a Fat Pony shows up at an empty portrait at the center of the corridor. He was charging toward them both as if they were intruders, calling them rogues and other insulting names. "Stand back! You scoundrels. Thou shalt not pass beyond these gates or you'll answer to the blade." He yelled.
Smiling, Harry steps forward and approaches the weird knight. "Good evening, Sir Cadogan." He greeted. "I come as Earl Lionhome of the House of Gryffindor. How are you tonight?"
The scrawny armored-wizard blinked his eyes several times before realizing who he was gawking at. "Why? It's Harry Potter." He dropped his sword and knelt on the ground. "Forgive my insolence, sire."
"No need for that, Sir Cadogan."
"It is always a pleasure to serve the royal family of the Emrys." The man stated with reverence. "How can this loyal servant be of assistance?"
With a sigh, Harry replied, "I'd like to make use of the Royal Apartments, please."
Sir Cadogan jumped to his feet. With a graceful bow, he swung his portrait open revealing a huge oak door. "The Royal Apartments is open to the sons of the founders and their guests." The blond who looked amused at the bloody git's antics, smirks.
"Thank you, sir."
"The pleasure is all mine, Your Majesty." And with a final bow, he takes his visor off and yelled at the retreating duo. "Farewell, sirs. And If ever you have the need of a noble heart and steely sinew, call upon Sir... Cadogan."
Draco snorted, "Yeah, we'll call you... if we ever need anyone mental."
Harry couldn't stop tittering over the blonde's comment. How funny that it reminded him of his best friend who also said the same thing.
"Seriously, mate. He never changed." The Malfoy heir complained.
"That's Sir Cadogan, alright." Harry simpered. He ushered the other young man to the sitting room where the fireplace is already being lit. And what a room it is indeed. The house elves did a pretty good job in maintaining the place. "Now that there's just the two of us, I guess a Firewhiskey is more appropriate than tea, isn't it?"
Draco nodded, "a glass or two sounds nice." He replied.
"Right." The brunet uncorks a bottle and pours a generous amount to two square glasses. And then, hands it over to the other young man who took it in one swig.
"This one has good taste." He reacted as soon as the rim parted his lips.
Harry smirked, "aged from the barrels of Serbia." He stated proudly.
"Father would love these." Draco stared at the bottle and thought about asking where he had acquired such an expensive drink.
"I'll send him one." Harry offered. "How's he, by the way? Haven't seen him since I came back to England last week."
The young Malfoy hands him back the glass, asking for another pint before giving his response. In the next two hours, the two members of the House of Black talked about Malfoy Senior and the family business before calling it a night.
- Next Chapter -
First Day of Class