Chapter Five: Dumbledore's Folly and the First Day
Athena, Hermione, Flora, Su Li, and Anthony were eating a hearty breakfast at the Ravenclaw table the next morning, talking about inane things such as Quidditch. Meanwhile, all the heads of houses were passing out schedules to their respective houses. Professor Flitwick was making his way down the Ravenclaw table, humming to himself as he handed out the schedules. When he reached Athena and her gang, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Miss Potter-Washington, the Headmaster would like to see you after breakfast."
She nodded at him, but said: "As my head of house, I would like you to be present, so he cannot try anything."
Flitwick looked surprised by this request, but nodded anyway. He knew what Dumbledore was like.
After breakfast, Athena told her friends to go on to class without her, and they cautiously agreed, bidding her good luck. She nodded, and followed Flitwick up to Dumbledore's office. When they got there, she noticed two gargoyle statues guarding the entrance. Flitwick marched right up to them, and told them the password.
"Lemon drops." He said, and the gargoyle moved out of the way of the entrance, allowing Filius and Athena to pass through.
"Ah, Miss Potter. Come in."
Athena growled at the fact that he refused to acknowledge her as a Washington. She didn't know half of what he had done to her, but she had a pretty good idea about the manipulative old codger. Fingering her locket, which was currently hanging on her neck, she gestured for Flitwick to go first. "After you, Professor."
He led her up a spiral staircase. When Athena entered the office, she was impressed, to say the least. There were portraits everywhere. In front of those portraits stood an old-fashioned, ornate maple wood desk, on which Dumbledore's hands were folded. Next to the desk, a simple, wooden perch, on which was…
"No way," Breathed Athena. "A phoenix."
The phoenix trilled as if acknowledging her.
"Ah, Athena-" Dumbledore started, but then was cut off by the aforementioned girl.
"Miss Washington. Or Miss Potter if you must. Only my friends can call me Athena, like Professor Flitwick here for instance," She told him sternly, gesturing to the diminutive professor as she said his name.
"Pardon?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Please call me Miss Washington, or Miss Potter if you must, though I prefer Miss Washington."
Flitwick inwardly snickered at the thought of the old coot getting a smackdown, though he did not let his emotions show. But Athena sensed this, and grinned mischievously at the charms professor.
Dumbledore's face reddened, but he hid his anger behind his preferred facade of a grandfather. "Now, Miss Potter, please sit down. Filius, thank you for escorting her. You may go back to Ravenclaw tower."
Athena sighed quietly, but did as she was told.
"Actually, Albus, I was going to stay here for the duration of the meeting. You know, to advise Athena here and all that stuff."
"Fine." Huffed Dumbledore. "So, first matter of business. Miss Potter, I was quite surprised by your Sorting last night. I expected you to be in Gryffindor, like your father and mother." Ah, so he is playing the like mother/father, like daughter card. Yeah… not going to happen, old coot. I will not bow down to anyone that does not deserve my respect. Thought Athena.
"Ah, so you're playing that game, Headmaster. I'm perfectly happy where I am."
Dumbledore was affronted that the Potter girl dared question him. Never in his lifetime had anyone dared question his choices, not even the Minister of Magic himself! (Of course, Fudge was a bumbling idiot.) Ever since he had defeated Gellert, everyone had looked to him for advice on every issue imaginable. He needed to get the Potter girl back in his sphere of control. And how the bloody hell did she become a Washington? Though, he knew a losing battle when he saw one. He was not going to fight the Girl-Who-Lived on this, for it could lead to his downfall. And if he fell, he would not be able to advise the young Potter heiress. That would be a disaster. Albus decided to play his favorite game: Fishing For Information.
"Oh, don't you get the wrong idea. I was merely just inquiring as to your House placement. Temper temper. Now, if it is alright, may I pretty please ask you a few questions?" Dumbledore told her, chuckling and blue eyes twinking. Athena could hear the bell for their first class ringing in the distance. She could now make her escape from this incessant questioning.
"Oh my, look at the time. I've got to get to class! Professor, will you please excuse me? Maybe we can finish this wonderful chat another time." Athena inquired. Subdued, Dumbledore nodded his agreement."Well, off to class with you, Miss Potter."
She smiled at him as she exited, with Professor Flitwick leading the way. Now, she finally got a chance to look at her schedule. She moved her eyes down the piece of parchment until she saw Monday's schedule.
Schedule of Athena Washington-Potter
Monday
8:00-9:00: Charms with Professor Flitwick
9:15-10:15: Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall
10:30-11:30: Herbology with Professor Sprout
11:45-12:45: Lunch
1:00-3:00: Double History with Professor Binns
3:15-5:15: Free time.
5:30-6:45: Dinner
6:45-Lights Out: Free time
*Please note that the First through Second year curfew is 9:30 pm.*
*Please note that the third through fourth year curfew is 10:00 pm.*
*Please note that the fifth through seventh year curfew is 10:30 pm.*
Grinning, Athena sped off to Charms class, skipping happily. She entered the classroom just in time for the second bell to ring, signifying the start of class. Athena waved to the excitable Professor Flitwick as she took her seat, getting out her wand, a leather-bound binder, and some sheets of looseleaf paper. She had a feeling that today would just be theory, so she took out her new favorite quill, a barn owl feather.
Charms passed quite quickly. The class was disappointed to find that they would not be having practical charms classes, meaning classes that you would use your wand in, for a long time.
After that, Athena headed to Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall and the Gryffindors, where, after taking a lot of complicated notes, they attempted to turn a matchstick into a needle. Athena was one of the first to succeed, followed by Hermione Granger and Flora Franklin.
Following that, the first year Ravenclaws and Slytherins raced outside to Herbology in the Greenhouses with Professor Sprout. After a hasty lunch, it was time for History of Magic, in which the first years of all four houses had to listen to Professor Binns drone on and on about goblin wars. During this time, Athena and Flora engaged one another in a rousing game of chess, while Hermione, who they were sitting in front of, sent disapproving glares their way. By the end of the bell, Athena had kicked Flora's butt and won the intense game. Flora was still sore about that by the time lights out rolled around.
Athena crawled into bed after brushing her teeth and pulling on her silky blue pajamas, and thought about the insanely busy day she had just had. Little did she know, her life was going to get even weirder.
END OF CHAPTER
Authors Note: Woo hoo! End of chapter! I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to our first and best President, President Washington! Thanks! Anyways, hope you all have a good President's Day!
Disclaimer: I do not own HP; I only own my OC's.
