Hey everyone,
I AM SUPER EXCITED! This is the first chapter that is completely new to this entire story. It feels like I just finished editing an old story and am now starting on the sequel or something. I can only imagine where, now that I have a blank page in front of me instead of prewritten text, I will take this story from here.
Let's find out,

Venquine1990
WARNING: mentions of potential murder later on, near the end of the chapter!


Chapter 63
Our Teacher – is a GODDESS?

3rd of June 1994
Ballroom, Beast's Castle
Kingsley's POV

I have been noticing No-Name glancing and trying to get the attention of several groups or individuals over the course of the last chapter and to be honest, the way she looks at me and then glares at Tonks who is sitting on her other side makes it beyond easy to read her thoughts, even though I was never able to master such magics.
And the fact that, just last chapter, we discovered that she actually doused Arthur with Love Potion and that Severus Snape is currently brewing potential antidotes to this, does not make me feel any better. Because of this, do I silently try to get the attention of the most important person currently in the room for me.
I know that, in the world she has been living in for most of her life, our relationship isn't looked upon in the best of way, because I am born in 1965 and she was born in 1941, making us have an age-gap of 25 years, yet I really don't care for this and neither did she when I was the one to ask her to marry me three years ago.

Fiana, my precious fauna of life, turns my way and I send a quick look at No-Name while slapping my heart with my fist and then cut my throat, which some years ago became our secret message for saying Someone's hitting on me. The woman frowns at this and then sends me the message back that I had hoped for. Revelation time.
I smile at her, both of us having met shortly after the end of the First book and agreeing that our desires, roles and duties were a bit too different at the time and that we needed to properly establish and work on them before revealing ourselves. Yet by now I feel as if we may have been waiting too long and so I happily say:
"I'm taken, No-Name." Just as Blaise Zabini seems to take the book from my boss and everyone turns to me at this, No-Name herself turning red as she must have thought that I wasn't noticing those blasted looks of you know you want me that she had been trying to send me, but then she seems to have a change of mind.
"Really? Cause I don't see any binding equipment on you, Auror." And the way she tries to purr my station makes me suppress a shudder as I say: "Aurors aren't allowed to wear such garments when out in the field. It can risk their loved ones if their targets find out about it. However, you are not considered such a risk, so there."

The woman looks at me shocked and then everyone gasps and several eyes widen while more mouths drop as Fiana happily moves over and I make sure to move in such a way she can lovingly take place within my lap. I then send a quick look to my boss, who just looks back impatiently and I happily give my beloved a strong, loving kiss.
Fiana cuddles up to me, the way she always does when I show her my affection and while I have no doubt that some, likely a couple of the more stubborn Muggleborns, will disagree on our bond, do I just not care as finally having another chance to be close to my fiancé and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

And then Fiana proves to me why I love her and why I have a right to as, after she catches her breath from how much I showed her my love, she turns to the Beast and asks: "You're the Master of this Castle and someone who can be considered an official, right? Would you and Madam Bones mind officiating our wedding?"
This startles most of the room and when No-Name wants to snarl: "Now that is just rude! You think you can just expect –." Does my beloved coolly reply: "We've been engaged for three years." Shutting her up before my boss says: "If Lord Beast is okay with it, I would be honored." And the shocked being nods in agreement.
At this my fauna turns to Belle and the woman is practically radiant with excited glee as she says: "I have no doubt my wardrobe will have a gorgeous dress all ready for you." And at this Mrs. Diggory says: "And if any of the sizes are wrong, I know some brilliant resizing charms." Which makes both of us smile at her and each other.
We then share another kiss to show our love for each other and share how happy we are that we are finally getting married and this is answered by someone – I can only guess Harry – starting to clap. And he is instantly followed up by the rest of the room, which makes the windows behind us shake a little at the strength of sound.

Blaise's POV

For the last few days I have been of the belief that the bond between myself and my precious Hermione was the most unusual. Yet then we came back from Olympus Coliseum and I got proven that I was wrong when Auron, a silent yet incredibly strong warrior, sought to court the second oldest of the Weasley brothers.
And now I get proven wrong again as the woman who, to everyone's knowledge, has been living in the Muggle world since the seventies is actually engaged to one of the most popular, skilled and incredible members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and will soon become his wife and the Lady of his House.

"And yet they have nothing on my gorgeous girlfriend." I think to myself, yet I don't focus on that, even though I do happily sit down next to her, the girl turning from happily smiling at one of her best friend's oldest sort-of guardian to turning to me and the look she sends me makes me even happier that I can now court her.
A budding sense of love is shining in her gorgeous brown eyes, yet there is also a sense of concern shining there and she whispers: "You do realize what we will probably read of next, right?" To which I smile at her and say: "I do, that's why I offered to read next." And yet this doesn't seem to comfort the girl at all.
Instead it worries her more and I pull her close as I say: "I am the neutral middle between you two, mio magnifico genio. I am friends with Draco, but I never agreed with what he did and always made sure he – even though it might not be noticed or mentioned – didn't go too far or too fast. Here, I'll prove it." And with that, I start to read.

Mio magnifico genio is Italian for My Gorgeous Genius.

Talons and Tealeaves

"Wow, talk about the complete opposite. Last chapter had a really obvious title and this one – wait, what's this about?" A First year asks and I answer: "Harry's very first Divinations and Care of Magical Creatures class." Which actually makes the boy scoot a little closer in excitement and I shake my head as I read.

When Harry … funny story.

At this my best friend groans and then stands up as he says: "Just want to let everyone know, the start of this chapter is pretty much a perfect presentation of how I behaved for – well, the better part of this entire book." And he grumbles this at the end, yet I feel proud of him for admitting this and he huffs as he sits down and as I read on.

As they … a pug.

This makes the girl glare at Harry, but I mutter: "You called him way worse before all this and we already surmised that no one – not friend nor enemy – was going to get a friendly description." At which the girl huffs and pouts, yet not even her dorm mates seem like wanting to console her and I notice this before reading on.

"Potter! The … you, Harry?"

"Wait, why did you have them?" Sora suddenly asks the twins and yet it's Professor McGonagall says: "Peeves had wrecked my cabinet where I always stash my retrieved homework, so I needed most of breakfast to fix it. That meant I had to leave handing out the timetables to others." The brunette nods at this and I read on.

"Malfoy," said … he, Fred?"

"Why would you want to sit on opposite ends of the train, anyway?" Sora asks again and the twins shrug as one of them says: "It's not so much that we want to." And the other goes on: "It's just that we're always late.""And we never feel like asking Lee to move when we find him." At this Sora, but then Lee shrugs and says:
"You could have just told me that. I always wondered whether I should get comfortable or just wait for you guys and then go find your siblings so our compartments are closer. I don't mind doing that from now on." To which the twins send a large, grateful smile at their best friend and Sora shines at them all as I read on.

"Nearly wet … in there."

"You have no idea how right you are in that." Sirius mutters and the look on his face proves that, even two years after escaping the place, it is still haunting him and Riku moves over to him, actually tilting his head back so they can properly lock eyes before he says: "I might need to take a Dive Into your Heart sometime soon."
"What does that mean? And why?" Harry asks worriedly and Riku says: "Because of that." And without looking, does he aim behind him. I look there and to my shock, do I notice Sora with his Keyblade out and standing in such a way it proves he just took out something. "Was that – did he just – are you saying –."
My sweet partner asks in fright and Riku nods as he says: "A Heartless. If Sirius proves that he is this affected by that place, even just a mention of it, he could lure the Heartless here. I better clear his heart of the Darkness that place left on him before that happens." Yet then Sora lies the Keyblade in the back of his neck and says:
"Though in the meantime, I'm sure we got these few Heartless covered." Yet I already know that there are quite a few students and teachers all thinking the same: "But for how long will it stay to just a few?" And while I try to take comfort out of the fact that there are plenty of Keyblade Wielders in the room, do I read on.

"Anyway, we'll … Professor McGonagall."

At this Professor Lupin glares at McGonagall and says: "You really should have given her permission to tell those two. Not only is she incredibly competitive and driven, so she'll take her classes more seriously than is healthy, but she's being insulting to Ron in her need to keep this quiet." The woman grimaces at this and Neville says:
"I know you don't like hearing this, Professor, but he's right. Things, especially Hermione's health, went downhill really quick. Though Professor Lupin, I'm sorry, but you don't really have a right to judge here. You didn't notice her problems either." At which Lupin shrugs to prove that he agrees wit the boy as I read on.

Just then … enormous hand.

"That was really rude of you, you know." Luna Lovegood suddenly says and when Hagrid turns to her, does she say: "There are students who are avid believers of animal rights. You looked like a beast killer, doing that." This astounds Hagrid and he says: "But – but – but surely you lot know me." Yet to this Luna shrugs and says:
"What you're most known for is having a deep love for beings and beasts that others find dangerous. Also, in some countries the polecat is actually considered an endangered species and is protected, less they become extinct." At this Hagrid cringes and he mutters: "I – I didn't know that.""Now you do." Luna states and I read on.

"All righ' … teacher ... hones'ly ..."

"It would've been, had I not been at my – almost – absolute worst." Draco mutters and Hermione asks: "Wait, almost?" To which Draco proves to us all he can learn his lesson as he says: "I was at my worst two weeks after Dumbledore got his comeuppance back in the year before this one." And my girl smiles at him for this as I read on.

He grinned … Tower before.

At this I notice Lupin glaring at the Seventh Year Gryffindors as he says: "Unless I am mistakes, it's the job of the Fifth year Prefects to guide the First and Second Years to either their first classes or classes they might have forgotten and for the Sixth year Prefects to guide the Third years to their new Elective classes.
So what happened to that?" And not just Harry, Ron and Hermione look at this shocked, but the rest of those who are in their year and House as well and one of them rubs the back of his head as he asks: "We were sheep and waiting for Percy to give us instructions?" Yet this doesn't seem to sit well with said Weasley as he says:
"I gave those instructions to each of you on the train. Are you going to try and blame this on me or try and say that the Dementor encounter made you forget about that?" Yet while it's obvious that the lad hadn't expected to stand up for himself, does he not seem willing to use either excuse and just admit defeat as I read on.

"There's – got … watching them.

"I actually interact a lot with the portraits when I'm not busy solving mysteries or doing my homework or worrying over my friends. Makes me feel like I'm learning in a whole new way. Most of them are after all based on ancient historical figures – and others are just plain fun." Harry happily tells us before I read on.
Yet I make sure to sweep my gaze over the top of the book as I do and notice that there are others who nod to prove that they agree with him and do the same thing. And just a quick headcount makes me know that it's mostly Muggleborns, with quite a few Half-bloods and only a handful of Purebloods mixed into that group.
Yet what intrigues me the most is that this handful of Purebloods actually falls under a very specific sub-category among the Pureblood society. "All of them can trace their lineage back ancestor by ancestor. They must hang out with those that are known to have a portrait at Hogwarts." I think as I focus on what I read.

A moment … you dogs!"

This makes almost all of Gryffindor turn to the three in question and Neville asks: "You actually met him before Halloween?" And while I wonder what he means, do the three nod to which Seamus moans: "You poor, poor souls." Which makes everyone else share confused looks with each other before I continue reading.

They watched … the charge!"

"Had it not been for the last two books, I would have thought he was exaggerating. But now –." Mr. Diggory mutters, but Harry says: "He was exaggerating. It's just – part of his character. Though that didn't make the whole thing any better." And while the other Champion's father feels relieved at this, do I continue reading.

He gave … someone mental."

And to my amused confusion does practically everyone in Gryffindor – bar the First Years, apparently – nod in empathy before they all turn an angry glare at Sirius, who looks shocked and asks: "What?" Apparently not getting why everyone is mad at him. "You'll see." Harry growls, yet I can tell he's not as angry as others as I read on.

They climbed … up there?"

Yet suddenly Hades reappears in his usual way and he raises his arms in a halting motion several times as he says: "Wow, wow, wow, wow – WOW! What name did you just utter?" And from the corner of my eye I actually notice the person in question cringe as I repeat: "Sybill – Trelawney?" And this actually pisses the God off.
"Show yourself." The Lord of the Dead growls and the coldness of his voice makes me feel as if I am actually inside his realm and makes me pull Hermione close, trying to push my fear for him to the back in order to keep her safe, even though I know it's not my girlfriend that the God is after. Yet Trelawney seems hesitant.
"NOW! SHOW YOURSELF, NEMESIS!" The God yells, actually making the entire room tremble with the power of his voice, yet the name confuses me, that is until Trelawney herself actually speaks up. And the voice that she speaks with is actually full of malicious fun that makes my skin crawl for a second time as she asks:

"Aaaaw, c'mon Hades, did you have to mess with me having some fun?" To which Hades crosses his arms and growls: "I may not be one of the official twelve, but even I know how to keep to the Ancient Laws. No fun can be had if it's not in the realm one is born in. These people are not from our world, therefore they are off limits."
"Oh, and what about that time –?" Trelawney tries, but Hades glares at her and says: "I joined them, I didn't do anything outside my own world. No point trying to use that against me, Nemesis. Now drop the bloody disguise. You didn't exactly pick one that compliments you now, did you?" And this seems to do the trick.
"Aaaah, fine. Have it your way, spoilsport." The professor of Divinations moans, only for waves and strings of purple magic to flow around her and actually change her appearance. Where she looked like a large glittering insect previous, does she now turn into an actual ethereal looking woman with gorgeous looks.
Long flowing brown hair that is held away from her face by a golden diadem, dark brown eyes that show both contempt and the same malicious enjoyment from before, several gold and silver bracelets all over her lower and upper right arm, a cloth draped over her left and a Greek-styled, silvery-white dress that reaches halfway down her thighs.

Everyone looks at the Goddess in shock as she reveals herself and the woman turns stern and disgusted as she turns to Harry, who is instantly covered by Sora, Riku, Roxas and Axel, the first three with their Keyblades out and Axel having both his Chakrams in each hand and ablaze with flames at each spear point.
"You certainly were one fun little toy to mess around with. Are you sure I can't mess up his life one last time, Hades? My captive little partner will appreciate it so much more if I do." Yet instantly Madam Bones and the Minister rush at the group at this and Madam Bones snarls: "Captive? You don't mean Dumbledore, do you?"
"No, I mean Zeus and Hera. Of course I mean your prisoner, you dimwit." The Goddess snaps at her and Fudge asks: "What on earth would you want with the likes of Dumbledore?" To which the Goddess shrugs and says: "He makes me feel strong, what else?" Which confuses the two and the Goddess sighs as she says:
"Do I need to spell it out to you? Dumbledore is envious of the entire world, so he wants the entire world to be envious of him. To celebrate him and let him do whatever he wants. To let him take whatever he wants, regardless of the chance of it belonging to someone else. And when people don't, he turns to me.

I make a precious little prophesy and those that don't prove they can be his precious little playthings get their lives messed up. Unfortunately, the Fates decided to mess with my last two prophesies, so –." And Harry shocks us all as he shouts: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" And a giant-sized Stag actually attacks the Goddess.
And while I had expected her to just wave it away, force it back onto him or use some other ethereal magic to destroy or evade it, does she seem too startled and does she get hit with it, the stag forcing her across the Ballroom and up against the glass windows on the back of the room, the Goddess actually groaning in pain.
"You killed my parents! You ruined everyone's lives! You almost killed Cedric! You almost started a Second war! VOLDEMORT WOULD HAVE RETURNED IF YOU HAD GOTTEN YOUR WAY!" Harry shouts, raging fury and horrible heartache sounding through his voice and only then do I notice something that shocks me.
Harry didn't cast the Patronus from his wand, but rather from his Keyblade, the huge weapon looking like it fits his hand perfectly and the lion at the end has its open mouth glowing as if to prove the power of the spell. Everyone looks at this shocked and Riku mutters: "I didn't even know it was possible to do that."

This pulls Hades out of his own shocked stupor and he snaps his fingers, causing for tendrils of darkness to wrap themselves around the Goddess. At this Harry drops his Keyblade, actually panting to prove that casting such a powerful spell and keeping it strong tired him. "I think you have your answer right there, Nemesis.
You are not going to be doing anything to anyone here anymore. You lost your toy, your partner and I will make sure –.""You are such a hypocrite. You have two people from that world under your very service, Hades, and you try to patronize me." Nemesis smirks, but Hades seems unimpressed and just coldly asks:
"Were they not in my world when I took them? And do you really think I have any need to use them against anyone other than Blunderboy? Do you really not know me after all these centuries?" The Goddess glares at this and says: "Fine, you win. I'll leave. Heh, I guess it was fun while it lasted." And with that does she actually vanish.

"Where did she go?" McGonagall shrieks and Hades calmly answers: "Back to her own part of our world. I can sense her returning there. She's pretty pissed, but – I can only imagine she will start using me to keep strong soon enough. What with how I need to take down Blunderboy. Speaking of which." And with that he too vanishes.
"You know, if it weren't for the fact that we know that it's Hercules, the Hero of Heroes, that he's talking about, that would really concern me." I can't help but say and mostly everyone nods before Harry sighs and says: "This just – it just explains so much." And while I can clearly hear his defeated tone, do I focus back on the book.

As though … went quiet.

"Wait, are we really going to read about the same teacher we just saw vanish? The one who admitted that she has been aiding Dumbledore in his greedy ways and murderous desires for years? The same teacher who turned out to be a Goddess?" Ernie asks shocked and Justin mutters: "I – guess we are." At which I read on, grimacing.

"After you … fashioned teashop.

And while I know that Harry actually has a few girls in his House that absolutely love Divinations and who have always been badly judgmental of those that disagreed with them, even if only by a little. Yet Patil and Brown seem too out of it from what they saw happen to their favorite teacher to respond to this at which I read on relieved.

At least … glittering insect.

At this I chortle and think: "That's exactly what I always think when I spot her again after a while." Yet it also seems to finally wake the two up and Patil snaps: "Well, at least she turned into a gorgeous goddess." To which Thomas snaps: "One who supported Dumbledore." Making the Asian girl turn red as I continue the chapter.

Professor Trelawney … and rings.

"I'll give her one thing. She knows how to conceal herself." Moody growls, yet this makes Harry frown and he asks: "Could that be how it keeps happening? How it is that no one notices the dark ones until it's almost too late every year?" But while this idea seems to be merited by most, does it seem the opposite with his father.
"A good theory, pup, and in any other situation or location it probably would have been the case. Though while I will say this might be, slightly, the case with Minerva and the others, I also think Dumbledore, in all his willingness to hurt others, also plays a large part in all that." At this his son sighs, yet nods as I read on.

"Sit, my … this field..."

"That's not entirely true." Luna suddenly says and we all turn to her as she says: "It's true that some classes are better off being taught through practical instead of theory ways, but there are always books that can help one further in any kind of subject or class." At this most of Ravenclaw nods in proud agreement and I read on.

At these … Neville gulped.

"For the record, your gran had left on a spa week, because her age made her health go up and down from time to time. Though this was well-known to anyone who knows how to listen to small grapevines and political discussions. She had after all told the Wizengamot she couldn't attend their next meeting for this very reason."
Mr. Diggory tells the ballroom, but to this Harry asks: "What does that matter? I mean, how would that –?" And Professor McGonagall says: "Sy – I mean, Nemesis – was indeed known to stay inside her tower for most of the year, but she also always visited at least one Wizengamot meeting a year." Harry nods and I read on.

Professor Trelawney … red-haired man."

"Again, Wizengamot. Your father had reported to Madam Bones that he had noticed some kind of red-haired man stalking his wife and home for a few weeks and wanted her to provide Auror guard as well as the assurance that the Dementors would keep him away from his daughters." Mr. Diggory tells us and I read on, rolling my eyes.

Parvati gave … my voice.

"She loses her voice every time she gets sick – and somehow, she gets sick every – wait a second. Every time she got sick, someone that we now know is a target for Dumbledore got into horrible trouble. Some of them even died. Those illnesses were constantly faked!" Professor McGonagall snaps in anger and Madam Bones says:
"I really can't wait till I can go and tell precious pretty Dumbledore that his precious pretty little weapon moved to another world and is back to her old ways." Yet at the same time I can tell that, for some reason, Flitwick seems worried and curious about something at the same time, yet he doesn't voice this and so I just read on.

And around … of October."

"What on earth did I do that would make me a target of that monster?" The young girl asks, in tears as she must remember what happened and Harry winces as he asks: "Did your parents plan anything that can be connected to my homelife?" And the girl gasps, proving that they did indeed have something like that planned.
"They – they – they – THAT HORRIBLE MONSTER! They were planning to move to Wisteria Walk, because it was close to our previous home, but had larger gardens and we had just bought my new bunny. We wanted to give him plenty of running and jumping space and Wisteria Walk had exactly the backyard we wanted."
This makes Harry look down and he mutters: "And because that was just too close to my old living place for his likings, he decided to take you the whole reason you wanted to move in the first place. Lavender, I –." But to this the girl screams: "DON'T YOU DARE BLAME YOURSELF, HARRY JAMES POTTER!
THIS IS THAT MONSTER'S WORK AND – AND – AND HE IS PAYING FOR IT! You are not to blame for this and if my parents hear of this and hear that you blame yourself, they will give you even more of a rant, you got that?" And Harry, who had looked really startled, nods in startled acceptance before I read on, snickering.

Lavender trembled … the pink."

"That was one pathetic way to teach you all about self-predicting prophesies, I swear." Sinistra mutters, yet Neville seems confused and mutters: "I just thought of something. Whenever Nemesis didn't talk death on Harry, she would treat me the same way she just did. Why?" No one seems to have an answer, so I just read on.

Sure enough … very happy..."

"I'm starting to think I had my own future shown to me at this point." Harry says, smiling at the rest of his family, who are all smiling back at him and Ron shrugs as he says: "If you did, that was one long-timed prediction, mate." To which Harry cuddles closer with his family and says: "But worth the wait." At which I happily read on.

"You need … and You-Know-Who."

"Want to bet that was a phoenix hidden under the guise of a falcon. After all, Voldemort was a killer, but Dumbledore turned out to be everyone's true enemy, not just Harry's." Moody growls, but I also notice that Luna seems to struggle with something, as if she wants to say something, but can't, which makes me read on worried.

Harry and … the Grim."

"She's describing the books." Luna suddenly says and we all look at her before Harry frowns and he says: "She's – not wrong. I did encounter the Ministry in two ways that year, got gold by winning the Tri-wizard Tournament the year next, so that means – that the club, the skull and the Grim are representing my other years."
"So, there will be some kind of attack in your Fifth, you will face crazy-like danger – probably Dumbledore's kind – in your Sixth and face Death itself in your Seventh? Damn mate, are you sure you had your own cup back then?" To which Harry nods and says: "I do, because our future – isn't in the books; not anymore."
And the incredible confidence with which he says this resounds through the entire ballroom, yet I can't help but turn to Luna. And the sight of the girl, calm and smiling at Harry in a tranquil, happy way makes me sigh in relief as, for some reason, I feel as if she has some kind of connection to all this. Yet instead, I just read on.

"The what … of death!"

"And yet that was the only time she actually had it right about what that omen means." Luna mutters and while she sounds so light and airy, does everyone look at her horrified and Sirius asks: "Luna, for the love of all that is Light, please tell me – does that omen still count for my baby? Considering the Time Reading Spell?"
But the girl instantly relieves us all as she says: "Only if we stop reading. If not, the Grim will walk away – well, the omen one." And while Harry had still tensed halfway through, does he sigh in relief in the end as well and Sirius pulls him close as he whispers: "I'm not going anywhere, pup." At which I read on, feeling better.

Harry's stomach … Harry's eyes.

Yet thanks to Luna's words and Hades forcing Nemesis to leave earlier is the atmosphere in here quite different from what it was like back then. Yet at the same time I just know that things will soon take another turn for the worst and this time, I wonder if interruptions can make things better or not. And so I read on, sincerely hoping so.

"Until we … this year?"

Yet here Sirius turns to the other teachers and asks: "Would you have asked them the same question?" And most of them, bar his mate, nod as Flitwick says: "It's just been part of Nemesis' start of the year introduction since practically the second year she started teaching." Making the young mother roll his eyes as I read the chapter.

Everyone stared … Neville's cup?"

At this even the boy himself rolls his eyes and says: "Lavender, no offense, but I am practically the weakest example of that Goddess having any kind of ability when it comes to predicting – even if she proved that she could just now. She probably can only do so when using her Goddess power, which I doubt she can do in class."
At this the girl grimaces and Harry asks: "Remember what you found out about October?" And Figg nods at this as she says: "Unfortunately, I have to agree with Harry. I know this can get me in trouble with the law, but, thanks to me and my work, there was nothing that happened in Surrey, that Dumbledore didn't know about."
But to this Madam Bones says: "Arabella, if that is supposed to get you in trouble, then everything we ever told Dumbledore either under his orders or by our own will is something we should arrest ourselves for. The only one to blame for any of the consequences of that – is Dumbledore himself." At which I nod and read on.

When the … pumpkin juice.

Yet this makes all of the Weasley family glare at the girl, that is until Riku asks: "I know I might be stretching things here, but – did this Bilius meet with Dumbledore –?" And the gasp that comes from Mr. Weasley says it all as he says: "He – he couldn't. He – he was the best man at a friend's wedding on the day Dumbledore invited him.
THAT BASTARD KILLED MY BROTHER BECAUSE HE WOULDN'T COME FOR A BLEEDING CUP OF TEA!" Mr. Weasley screams in horrifying anguish and Bill, Charlie and Auron all reach out to the man, while Madam Bones and Susan take the Percy, the twins, Ron and Ginny between the two of them.
Charlie sends a tiny, grateful smile at Auron as he notices that he is there too and Auron nods, wrapping his long red robe around the grieving man. Yet I also notice that No-Name is actually unconscious and that Fiana is rubbing one of her hands with the other while Shacklebolt is grinning at her in strange, crazy pride.
"That woman wouldn't –." But then I remember that No-Name is the only one still here that supports that murderer and suddenly I realize that she really should have started ranting at us for our disloyalty to the man sometime ago. This makes me wonder what kept her quiet until now and when the Weasleys have calmed down, do I read on.

"You don't … Arithmancy class!"

"Wait, when did you have time to have your Arithmancy class?" Someone asks and this seems to be exactly what the Weasleys need to hear to get out of their slump as the twins share a very small smile and chorus: "Anyone care to bet whether or not they can figure this out before it's revealed?" And mutters sound through my reading.

She snatched … each other.

At this the two glare at each other, but then Remus says: "You both had your rights to this. Hermione, you were being insensitive about a lost loved one, but I can get why you don't want to think of losing a friend or lost one yourself. Ron, you had all right to worry for your friend, considering the other two years, but you were rude at the end."
And both seem to cringe and mutter apologies to each other, yet it's obvious that Lupin both hit a nerve and made sure that their egos didn't get hit too hard as they don't seem to feel too bad. And while I can definitely see all of this from Ronald's point of view, do I still find my heart siding with my girl as I read on.

Harry walked … talking about.

Yet then I notice that Zacharias Smith is frowning in insulted rage at my best friend and he snarls: "It wasn't funny." And this shocks Harry, yet Draco smirks and says: "You were trying to hit onto Marcus' girlfriend and he caught you doing it. It was pretty funny." And some other Badgers actually laugh as well as I read on.

Hagrid was … with bullclips.

"Can I just say that both the teacher had a creative way of teaching here, but that all of those students also had a very creative way of handling their latest class. Also, I'd like to give props to those who used ropes. Sometimes, you need to tie a rope around a pet's neck, this is quite similar." Madam Maxime says and this startles us.
"Hey, she's right. That was a really creative idea. Also, extra credit for next year to whoever can get their book trained like a dog or cat." Hagrid then suddenly says and this makes all those that had to buy the book the last two years share looks before everyone laughs and I can still tell some of them accepted the challenge as I read on.

"Hasn' – hasn' … a success.

"To be honest, considering the horrible mistakes I made in the last two years, I am starting to wonder what Dumbledore was thinking hiring me." Hagrid mutters and yet McGonagall lies a hand on his arm and says: "As long as you're learning, Hagrid. That's what matters." Making him smile at her before I continue reading the chapter.

"Righ' then … behind you –"

"Are you trying to prove that you can't take him on without using some sick or weak excuse?" Auron suddenly asks and Draco snarls: "Excuse me?" Yet Auron shrugs and says: "Just that you haven't directly confronted him even once since I came here, is all." Yet before my friend can get himself into trouble, do I just read on.

"Oooooooh!" squealed … inky black.

"And yet, in the end it all came down to just one of them." Dean mutters to Seamus, yet this seems to spark something with Harry and he turns to Hagrid as he asks: "That reminds me, what happened to the other Hippogriffs anyway?" Yet the half-giant shrugs and says: "They disappeared a few days after that class."
This shocks and confuses most of those who had taken that class and then Shacklebolt says: "Hagrid, if you want, I can set up a team that will look into the missing ones. Once we finish this book's reading, I mean." Hagrid happily nods at this and thanks the man and only then does everyone notice No-Name's status.
"What happened to No-Name?" Ron asks shocked and Fiana shrugs as she says: "She got annoying." And while the redhead looks shocked, does Auron smirk and ask: "You got that from the Coliseum, didn't you?""I learn fast, what else can I say? And I love watching after kids." Fiana smiles and I read on, feeling proud of her.

"So," said … the lesson.

"Dragon, I don't think Hagrid and I will ever see eye to eye on – well, a lot of things, but practical classes like this will always require you to pay proper attention. I know for a fact that Hagrid wasn't exaggerating with his warning." Mrs. Malfoy actually shocks us and scares her son as she says this and Draco nods as I read on.

"Yeh always … said Harry.

"To be honest, you actually beat me with just two seconds there." I tell the boy, who looks at me shocked and I glance at Draco as I say: "I just felt that Draco would take this all a bit more serious if he saw me do this, instead of the guy he just disrespects all day, every day." Harry nods, Draco turns red and I read on.

There was … deeply disappointed.

"You should only want your rival hurt if you're the one causing the pain. Otherwise, there is no reason to feel disappointed." Auron tells the boy, yet when he gets glared at by all parents, does he cringe and say: "Well, hurt on the level that a matron or Healer can cure." And the parents seem to grudgingly accept this as I read on.

"Righ' then … straight again.

By now Draco is smirking and says: "I got to be honest with you, cousin. That sounds like a completely different experience from what we saw. You looked as bloody natural on that Hippogriff as you usually do on a broom." To which Harry shrugs and says: "Sorry, I didn't even know I did that. It really felt the way it was described."
"Maybe you weren't seeing your rival in trouble or discomfort, because you saw him be a natural in getting accepted by that Hippogriff, so you believed him to be a natural in all things concerning it. Perhaps your mind and annoyance were just playing tricks on you." Belle suggests, yet suddenly Draco gets it and he shakes his head.
"No, that wasn't it. I didn't remember it until just now, but – you offering that explanation so silently made me remember something. I was slightly distracted, because I kept hearing Crabbe and Goyle muttering insults and jeering words. It must have affected what I thought I saw." And my friend shudders as I read on.

"Good work … great brute?"

By now I notice that Madam Bones has very thin lips, has her monocle cutting into the skin of her eyebrows as they are crossed tightly over her furiously glaring eyes and how she is tapping one finger on her other arm as she snarls: "This sure doesn't sound in any way or form like the report the Ministry and I got in."
We all turn to her, yet she shakes her head and says: "Let's just say, I had my doubts about the story we were sold, but that was because I knew of the feud between Lucius and Hagrid as well as Draco's reputation as being as arrogant as his father. Just know this sounds more believable." Yet to this Ron frowns and asks:
"If it did, why didn't you report that?" To which Madam Bones sighs and says: "I only got the report, because Cornelius wanted me as security detail in case of either Sirius or if the feud between those two got nasty. I was to stay out of it otherwise. Trust me, I didn't like it either." The redhead nods at this and I just continue reading.

It happened … killed me!"

Yet at this an ashamed Draco turns to Harry and says: "I – I really didn't have any rights to complain and whine like that. Compared to what you went through –." But before he can go on, does Harry darkly say: "No person should go through what I did." And everyone close to him nods in solemn agreement as I read on.

"Yer not … muscles threateningly.

This makes everyone share a glance and Ron asks: "Who wants to bet that it was those two that filed the report?" To which Madam Bones says: "It sure sounded as stupid as those two pretended to be for years. And to be clear, Mr. Weasley, I felt myself getting dumber by reading it." At which Ron shakes his head as I read on.

They all … for him..."

Yet this time Harry seems to be frowning, yet not out of anger at my friend's idiocy. "Didn't you just say that those two were whispering insults and whatnot?" He asks and when Draco nods, does Lucius gasp and he mutters: "They – they Confunded you to make that mistake while muttering. Those cold, soulless bastards."
And Draco himself whitens. I then notice Hermione staring at me and I raise an eyebrow at her at which she whispers: "I'm fine, support your friend." And while I can barely believe that she is willing to show such silent support to her bully of the last four years straight, do I smile at her and do as she says as I read on.

They were … at him.

"There is trying to protect someone and there is making someone a prisoner in the place he's supposed to feel safe. The latter just takes the sense of safety away from the person you're trying to protect." Auron tells Hermione, having actually gone to sit with her after I left and I send him a grateful smile for this as I read on.

"I'm allowed … into focus.

"Is now a bad time to say that I actually didn't see either Crabbe or Goyle until it was almost curfew that night?" Tracey suddenly asks and we all turn to her. She shrugs and says: "What? They vanished after dinner and I didn't see them again until three minutes before curfew. They just scared me with their smirks, so I kept quiet."
This makes the Ministerial members frown at each other and Madam Bones says: "I think I know what happened here. Those two first Confunded young Malfoy into making his mistake, then Confunded Hagrid into drinking and then used his drunk state to affect him in case of anything else coming out of all this.
They wanted to see death, so they decided to have a Hi – good Merlin, could those bastards –?" And even though she doesn't say it, does everyone whiten and Shacklebolt pulls Fiana closer as he says: "I'm sorry, Hagrid, but – we might not be able to find your Hippogriffs after all." And while Hagrid starts to sniffle at this, do I read on.

"'Spect it's … it's worth."

"I know that Muggles always say that behind every man there's a greater woman, but these two are the scarier version of how intimidating Malfoy can be." Brown suddenly says and Draco shudders as he says: "I never want to be like that, not ever." And the Muggleborn girl apologizes for scaring my friend as I continue reading.

"School gov'nors … said Ron.

Yet by now the three in question are sharing looks and they sigh as Harry says: "As crazy great as we have been solving weird mysteries." And Ron goes on: "Going up against both Dumbledore and those two." And Hermione sadly finishes: "We never stood a chance." They chorus an apology to Hagrid, who shakes his head as I read on.

Tears leaked … worth that!"

"Please tell me you didn't actually take this whole thing that serious?" Auron groans yet Harry says: "No and I talked into Hagrid next chance I got. Though I had to talk into some other people about privacy after Halloween." And while this actually makes quite a few of his friends turn red, do none of them seem willing to explain further.
"Well, this was definitely an interesting if not unexpectedly crazy and revealing chapter." I can't help but state and everyone nods, though Hagrid still seems quite sad about the fact that he may have lost his Hippogriffs. "Hagrid, if those bastards are guilty, I will buy you a whole new nest, I promise." Lucius then shocks him by saying.
The half-giant looks at this shocked, but Mr. Malfoy says: "Like I said, we will probably never become close or see eye to eye on a lot of things – both personal and in the case of our beliefs – but you don't deserve to lose your pets and definitely not like that or to people like that." At which Hagrid mutters a grateful thank you.


Well said, Lucius,
So, as excited as I was about this chapter being the first that I would write out from start to finish, I actually started writing this one LAST! Yeah, I know, but as great as it is to finally put a chapter of this story fully to my own hand the way I write these days – I really hate this chapter when it comes to the PoA content.
Remember, Prisoner of Azkaban is my ABSOLUTE favorite of the series, but this is definitely one of the lesser chapters. There is one other that I bring up in a LOT of other stories – A Guardian's Life, for example – but I still really love this book. However, that didn't make it easier to imagine a positive twist to this chapter.
And while I know that, in the end, this whole thing actually took a turn that is almost as dark as the end of OotP if not most of DH, do I still think that the whole "Trelawney is Nemesis" – while maybe not entirely plausible or logical – is a fun twist on the whole thing. Also, just bashing her is so "Family and Friends" I couldn't do it.
Makes sense, right,

Venquine1990