DISCLAIMER: We do not own Harry Potter, we only own our original characters.
A/N: Hi all here is the third instalment of Untold Lies, as promised this one is much longer! We hope you enjoy!
'Bold italics' is the twin's talking telepathically through their twin bond
Chapter 3 – Winds of Change
(Third POV)
After the meal, the students all made their way to their respective common rooms, the Slytherin's trudging towards the dungeons. The new first years' eyes darted around in awe, taking in the magic of the castle discreetly, unnoticeable to non-Slytherin eyes.
Redina and Ariadnae followed behind with their hands clasped together once more, Redina's cane tapping on the stone floor as they quietly observed the other students. Besides them, one on each side, walked Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini. From behind the sisters came a snide snort, followed by an arrogant leer.
"Look at those incestuous wannabe freaks, tarnishing the good name of Slytherin with their unnatural relationship." Malfoy laughed haughtily, trying to encourage the other fifth year Slytherin's to join in with his mocking.
Redina and Ariadnae stopped sharply and spun around on their heels.
"Something you'd like to say to our faces brat?" Ariadnae spat out, arching her perfectly crafted eyebrow.
"You heard me freak." The boy replied obnoxiously.
Blaise and Theodore took a step forward, preparing to intervene, but Redina held up her left hand to stop them. "Freak?" questioned Redina, her perfectly sculpted eyebrow raising similarly to her sisters. "I think not." She added simply, tapping her cane onto the floor once, before turning with her sister, clasping hands once more and continuing their walk to the common room, Blaise and Theodore beside them.
Behind them Malfoy and his gang also began to move once more, laughing at the weakness of the reply, before Malfoy tripped, his legs becoming entwined in an invisible rope.
"Draco, Draco are you ok?" The nasally voice of Pansy could be heard as the Black sisters looked to one another and smirked.
As the small group reached the common room, they settled in ready to hear Professor Snape's start of year speech, the girls sitting next to one another on a sofa as the males flanked them, stood behind.
From a dark alcove emerged the Potions Master, along with Lucius Malfoy, the pair running their eyes over the gathered students, Lucius's eyes narrowing upon not finding his son in the crowd.
"Welcome Slytherin's to a new year, and congratulations to our new housemates. For those first years let me first start by saying in Slytherin house we look after our own. If you need anything you can come to any older student of this house or myself or Professor Malfoy and we will endeavour to assist. If you have any quarrels with your housemates, you are to keep it behind closed doors. Outside of these common rooms the other houses will not stand up for you, we must look after our own, and keep a united front.
"The password for the common room changes every fortnight, keep an eye on the noticeboard for the new one. Never bring anyone from another house into our common room or tell them our password. No outsider has entered it for more than seven centuries.
"No rule-breaking will be tolerated, and bad behaviour will be punished in house as well as any detentions you may receive.
"So once again welcome to the first years, remember to always show a united front, and to behave in classes. If you have any questions, please ask myself, Professor Malfoy or one of the Prefects. Now it is time for bed. Goodnight young snakes." Professor Snape finished his speech, dismissing the students, just as Draco and the rest of his group barged into the common room.
Professor Malfoy glared at his son before reprimanding him. "You're late Draco."
Malfoy opened his mouth to protest but his father cut him off. "No excuses. You are a Malfoy." The boy hung his head before glaring at Redina and Ariadnae and scurrying off to his room.
"Black's, a word." The blonde-haired professor spoke once his progeny had left the common room.
The girls bid Blaise and Theodore goodnight before walking closer to the Professors. "Yes Professor?" Ariadnae asked.
"Welcome to Hogwarts and Wizarding Britain, Miss's Black's, I suspect we can expect great things from such pure blood as yours." Professor Malfoy nodded in thought, as Professor Snape rolled his eyes beside him.
(Ariadnae POV)
"Thank you, Professor Malfoy." I smiled lightly at the Professor, bowing my head in respect for the Malfoy Lord.
'Damn that man's voice is heavenly.' I heard Red's voice through our telepathic connection and couldn't help but giggle internally.
'I was thinking the same about Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome over there.' I allowed my eyes to trail back over to Professor Snape, thinking about his amazingly sinful, deep voice.
"Yes ladies, welcome to Slytherin. I trust you will follow the rules of our house and represent Slytherin with honour, despite entering at such a late stage in your academic careers." Professor Snape arched his eyebrow at the two Black's.
"Of course, Professor Snape. Both my sister and I are looking forward to the year here at Hogwarts." Redina replied, nodding her head to the professor.
"Good. So, you girls will be down those stairs, there is a door there with your names on it. You will be sharing with just each other. Breakfast is at 7:30am. You will receive your timetables then. Do not be late." The Potions Master dismissed the two sharply.
The twins bowed to the two professors before turning in unison and walking towards the stairs.
'Well?'Red's voice came through our connection once more.
'Well this could be an interesting year my dear sister.'I smirked over at Red, both of us in agreement that Hogwarts won't know what hit it by the time we were through.
(3rd POV)
6am the next morning found the teachers gathered in the teachers' lounge for their first meeting of the year. Whilst waiting for Dumbledore, the teachers made small talk with one another, debating the changes they could see occurring.
On one sofa Minerva McGonagall sat with Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout, discussing their thoughts about the new teachers and the newest additions to their houses. On another, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black sat quietly, the latter observing the latest staffing additions, specifically his returned younger brother Regulus.
Regulus himself was stood with his wife, Xanthia, drinking coffee and talking with the Astronomy teacher Firenze, who seemed the least unnerved by the return of the Black family, thought dead for many years. Poppy Pomfrey, was stood the other side of Xanthia, quietly discussing their new partnership; she was looking forward to having a helping hand in the hospital wing, as well as having the students finally having some tutelage in the Healing arts.
Over by a bookcase Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape stood, also observing the two Black's, wondering what this means for the war, and how their progeny would affect their house.
The Muggle Studies teacher, Charity Burbage was sat alone in an armchair, sipping her tea and reading the Daily Prophet, on the front, the headline read 'Regulus Black, Back From the Dead?' along with a picture of Regulus from his school years.
Also sat alone was Rubeus Hagrid, Games Keeper and Care of Magical Creatures Professor, nursing his own large mug of coffee, Sybil Trelawney, studying the tea leaves at the bottom of her cup and Rolanda Hooch, knee shaking as she waited impatiently for the meeting to start.
(Lucius POV)
As we waited for the ridiculous headmaster, I studied Black. He had grown much since I had last seen him, his muscles obvious beneath his battle robes, his black hair reached his shoulders and the features from his Daemon inheritance added to his mystery. The shadows licked at his feet as he spoke with the centaur, and his eyes, imperceptibly to most, flickered around the room, observing all of the other staff members present, always returning to his mate, no doubt ensuring her safety.
Dumbledore interrupted my observations, as he came flamboyantly into the room, the new Minister for Magic, William Alderton and his side-kick Delores Umbridge in tow. William Alderton was a plain-looking man, tall and lanky with dull brown eyes matching his muddy brown hair. He wore traditional black robes with the Minister of Magic logo sewn onto the right side of the front of his outer robe. The pink toad-like woman, dressed in a preposterous amount of pink, stood next to him, trying to look important, glaring down her nose as the teachers.
"Good morning my dear teachers, I am glad to see so many of you were on time," Dumbledore began addressing us, causing me to raise an eyebrow as he was the only one to be late. "As you can see I have Minister Alderton with me, he is going to explain the new changes he has deemed fit for our school."
I could hear the anger bubbling below the surface of Dumbledore's voice, something most wouldn't. Glancing to my left I meet Severus's eyes, he can hear it too.
"Yes, thank you Headmaster. Good morning everyone. As Albus has said, I am here to explain some of the changes I plan to make at the school." Alderton was a man I had come across often in the Ministry before he had become Minister. He was passionate about education and cared about the next generation a great deal. His appointment as Minister came after Fudge had been fired for incompetence, following the death of Diggory at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and his plans for our world would bring a great deal of good. "First and foremost, following the events of last year, I am placing a Ministry Liaison Officer within the school for any teachers or students to speak with regarding any concerns about the school. Delores Umbridge has agreed to be the Liaison and will be here on Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 noon until 6pm. Please feel free to utilise her should you have any concerns or queries."
My eyebrow raised once more. I knew that the Minister had planned to have a Liaison Officer within the castle walls but Umbridge seemed an odd choice. She was known to despise children and any person not of completely pure blood, including those with a creature inheritance, such as myself.
"Secondly you may notice several new teachers around. The education offered here at Hogwarts used to be the best in the world, but in recent years, whilst other schools have grown and developed, offering new courses and modernising the older courses, Hogwarts has continued to teach only those older courses, not even updating them." I felt the other teachers around me all look sharply at Dumbledore, collectively sucking in a breath in shock. I had been saying this for years, falling only upon deaf ears, as the former Minister had tried to keep well away from Dumbledore, in fear that he wanted his job.
"That is just not true my boy, Hogwarts offers the finest education the wizarding world could possibly offer." Dumbledore interrupted, and I could see the Minister's eye twitch before he gained that fiery spark that shone whenever someone challenged him so openly about matters of great importance to him.
"Excuse me Headmaster, it is Minister Alderton to you. And also if your claims were true we wouldn't be ranked 11th out of the 11 wizarding schools around the globe." The Minister growled out, his passion for education obvious.
The teachers all burst out in anger, yelling over one another in shock and horror except for Severus and the Blacks. I had been keeping Severus in the loop of my board findings for years, so he had already known about the rankings, and I can only assume that the Blacks had learned of this whilst away from Britain for the last fifteen years.
"Quiet, please quieten down." The Minster yelled over the teachers, many of whom were becoming red-faced with anger and outrage. "I understand that this may come as a bit of a shock and many of you may feel betrayed by your Headmaster, but together we can fix this, and bring Hogwarts once again to the top of the ladder."
"Now with that in mind I have decided to introduce four new courses for this year, with a vision of adding more courses in the future. Lucius Malfoy has graciously accepted the offer to teach Wizarding Etiquette to years one to five, with the sixth and seventh years of this year losing a free period to also get the education needed. Whilst we have been teaching our students about the muggle world, we have been neglecting our own, and as such there are many muggle-born's and half-bloods whom do not fully understand the world they are in. Lucius will also be teaching Wizarding Politics as an optional course to fifth, sixth and seventh year students." I could feel the eyes of the teachers on me as they now understood why I was here. I am sure many were not happy with this turn of events, but would not protest, now knowing the dire situation the school was in.
"Further to this, Regulus Black and his lovely wife Xanthia Black will also be joining you on staff. With a war on our horizon it is important that our next generation can defend themselves. Regulus will be teaching a compulsory Hand-to-Hand Combat and general fitness course for all years. Our students may have been learning some defence with their wands but if they were to lose them they would be helpless in any given situation. Regulus will teach them how to fight without the need of magic, to give them a fighting chance should that happen." The Minister paused for a moment and was interrupted by Minerva McGonagall.
"What qualifications does Regulus have to teach? He has been missing for fifteen years and now has mysteriously returned with two children and is going to be allowed to teach?" McGonagall's eyes were on Regulus as she spoke. It was obvious from her face that she had missed her former student, and was glad to see him returned safely, if a little abruptly, but she was still concerned for her current students' welfare.
"I have studied hand-to-hand combat for many years, under many different Masters, and have my Mastery in many different forms of combat. I have learned many muggle forms of martial arts and mastered a number of different weapons." Regulus spoke clearly, his deep voice resonating around the quiet room. Minerva nodded her head, satisfied for now, though clearly bubbling with questions.
"Thank you, Regulus. The final course I am adding to this year's curriculum is Healing. Xanthia Black will teach Healing to years three and above and will work with Madame Pomfrey in the healing wing as needed. Healer Black has been a medi-witch for twenty years as many of you may already know and has lots of experience to offer the school."
I saw the teachers nod happily, clearly agreeing that a Healing course was a good idea. Dumbledore on the other hand seemed enraged at the new courses now on offer at his school. Having been a board member for many years I knew that he had long insisted that the school need not offer anything other than the same old courses that had been offered for a century.
Beside me Severus remained stoic as usual, though I already knew he thought that the courses being introduced had been necessary for many years.
"Thank you Minister." Dumbledore's voice hid resentment as he moved forward to speak once more. "Minerva, Severus, Filius, Pomona here are your timetables to give to your students, dismissed."
The four Heads of Houses took the piled of timetables and all of the staff left for breakfast, many probably reeling with all of the new information.
(Harry POV)
I trudged down the stairs from the common room with Hermione and Ron already bickering behind me. We had stayed up late discussing the new teachers and the Black twins, trying to decipher what it meant and where they had come from. Sirius has been clearly surprised to see his brother alive and well, and I didn't know what to make of it, my family was expanding, and I couldn't wait to meet them. Ron and Hermione on the other hand seemed threatened by them and angry at their sudden appearance.
As we sat down at the Gryffindor table, my eyes searched for my newly discovered cousins. I found them dressed similarly to yesterday, and foregoing their uniforms, sat between Nott and Zabini. Looking back at my own table I began filling my plate with the delicious food which popped into existence in front of me. The three of us ate in relative silence, Ron chewing obnoxiously loud beside me.
(Ariadnae POV)
Redina and I ate slowly, listening as Zabini and Nott told us about the different teachers at the school and some of the more important students.
"Potter is looking at us." Redina interrupted Nott's description of Professor Sprout.
"Yes, I can feel it too. Probably just curious." I replied, taking a sip of my tea.
"How can you tell? You're not even looking." Zabini questioned us quietly, dutifully not looking up as most others would.
"Our father has trained us since we were old enough to walk, we can certainly tell when we are being watched." I answered him factually.
As we finished our meals, timetables appeared on our table, our names written neatly on the top.
Monday
0900-1110 – Double Potions (Professor Snape - Gryffindor)
1110-1130 – Morning Break
1130-1230 – Herbology (Professor Sprout - Gryffindor)
1240-1340 – Transfiguration (Professor McGonagall - Ravenclaw)
1340-1440 – Lunch
1450-1550 – Politics (Professor Malfoy - Ravenclaw)
1600-1700 – Care of Magical Creatures (Professor Hagrid - Gryffindor)
Tuesday
0900-1000 – Charms (Professor Flitwick - Hufflepuff)
1010-1110 – Muggle Studies (Professor Burbage - Hufflepuff)
1110-1130 – Morning Break
1130-1230 – Study Break
1240-1340 – Flying (Madame Hooch - Gryffindor)
1340-1440 – Lunch
1450-1700 – Double Defence Against the Dark Arts (Professor Lupin and Professor S. Black - Gryffindor)
Wednesday
0900-1110 – Double Hand-to-Hand Combat (Master R. Black - Hufflepuff)
1110-1130 – Morning Break
1130-1230 – Charms (Professor Flitwick - Hufflepuff)
1240-1340 – Politics (Professor Malfoy - Ravenclaw)
1340-1440 – Lunch
1450-1700 – Double Astronomy (Firenze - Ravenclaw)
Thursday
0900-1000 – Healing (Healer Black - Hufflepuff)
1010-1110 – Herbology (Professor Sprout – Gryffindor)
1110-1130 – Morning Break
1130-1230 – Care of Magical Creatures (Professor Hagrid - Gryffindor)
1240-1340 – Transfiguration (Professor McGonagall - Ravenclaw)
1340-1440 – Lunch
1450-1700 – Double Divination (Professor Trelawney - Ravenclaw)
Friday
0900-1000 – Study Break
1010-1110 – Flying (Madame Hooch - Gryffindor)
1110-1130 – Morning Break
1130-1340 – Double Wizarding Etiquette (Professor Malfoy - Gryffindor)
1340-1440 – Lunch
1450-1550 – Muggle Studies (Professor Burbage - Hufflepuff)
1600-1700 – Healing (Healer Black - Hufflepuff)
'Yes! Double potions with Professor Snape!'I spoke to Redina excitedly through our connection. Potion making is my passion, and Professor Snape is a very highly-regarded potions maker.
'Joyous.'I could see my sister rolling her eyes beside me, she was much happier being outside surrounded by the animals.
'Oh don't be like that Red, at least we finish the day with Care of Magical Creatures.' I could see her perking up instantly at that and couldn't help but smile fondly.
'That's true Ari. It's not a bad timetable all things considered. Though I could do without Double Divination last thing on a Thursday.'Redina replied.
'Couldn't we all.'I laughed internally.
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