Zaneta here, it's been computer chaos, but thanks to a lot of discussion, rest assured, we've been talking about the fiction a lot as of late. We were planning to put a lot of time in over the Christmas hols, but we had a lot to do. Oh well, to make it up to you guys I'm going to put up a chapter every two days until we're out of stock, because we've been busy bees.

Chapter 3- New Year, New Teacher

The car stopped in front of a large house on the outskirts of London, "Where the heck are we?" Ron asked.
Mr Weasley climbed out, "You'll understand soon enough, but for now, it's safe to say that this is where you'll be staying for the year."
"Here? Bloody hell!"
"Watch your language Ron!"
Ron winced at the sudden firmness in his father's tone, "Sorry Dad."
"Come on, let's get you inside."
The group entered, and an apparent butler came to greet them, "You must be Mr Weasley," he stated, "My name is Walter, butler to the family who own this estate."
"Yes, this is my son Ron and my daughter Ginny, and their friends Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." Mr Weasley answered, "Their stuff is in the car."
"Very well."
Harry looked around the place.
"Is something the matter Harry?"
"I don't know why, but I have the funny feeling that we're being watched."

Alucard hung over the ceiling, focused on Harry, with a smirk on his face he disappeared the way he came, planning to inform Integra of their arrival before heading back to bed.

The four looked around, "Looks like we're here early."
"In truth, it was at the Ministry's request that you were sent to the estate ahead of the rest of the student body," Walter explained
"Is Scringemour going to pay a visit?" Harry asked coolly.
"I do not believe so, he said something about a dark wizard he feared to name being the problem," Walter replied, "However, I must admit that Rufus Scringemour is not the most pleasant of men I've met."
"Not the words that come to my mind," Harry answered.
Walter chuckled, "You're all Gryffindors correct? Allow me to show you to your rooms," he said, and with a bow he walked up the stairs.

"Wow! This looks just like the real thing!" Ginny exclaimed, looking around the common room.
"That's because rooms in the mansion were adjusted by magical means to cater for everyone within the space not used by the family business."
"Business?"
"Let's just say that we don't make ice cream."
"Huh?" Ron looked completely confused.
"He means it's not a usual kind." Hermione translated.
"Correct, now, if you would return to the entrance hall at noon, the rest of the student body will arrive about that time, with exception to the prefects, who will arrive half an hour before in order to be able to guide younger students."
"Can't you do that?"
"I'm only one person, and I have other duties to attend to." Walter explained, "Now, if you would be so kind as to excuse me," and with that he left the room.
"So what do we do now?" Ron asked, "We have an hour before noon."
"Personally, I don't think exploring is a good idea, we'll only get ourselves lost."
"If you ask me," Harry added, "This is like being a first year all over again."
"Only we have a better knowledge of spells."
"And pain."
Everyone burst out laughing, "But what are we going to do about the Quidditch? At Hogwarts is one thing, but outside London?"
"That's a good question, perhaps it will be explained during this speech at noon."

When noon arrived they walked to the entrance hall, Pansy Parkinson unfortunately was near the stairs.
"What were you doing up there?"
"We've been here an hour Pansy." Harry answered shortly, "What's wrong? Upset that your darling Draco isn't here to join you?"
Pansy seethed, "Mark my words Potter, you will pay for that."
"I'm shaking."
Just then a gong rang through the room, and they looked up to see Professor McGonagall with a tall blonde with round glasses dressed in a green suit with an intricate bowtie.
"Attention please!" Professor McGonagall called, "As you have probably noticed, we are in a different location this year, due to a pest control issue in the castle. On behalf of the students and staff of Hogwarts I would like to thank Sir Integra Hellsing for her kindness as to provide us room on her own estate while the mater is resolved."
The blonde nodded, and there was a scattered applause.
"I just wish to state that apart from the greenhouses, paddock and Quidditch grounds made for student use, do not go to the back of the grounds unaccompanied by either a teacher or one of my staff, any fenced off areas are off limits, and the basement level is off-limits except to my own staff. I must also request that no one disturb the staff except to ask for directions. General queries might be answered depending on their nature, but if they say they are not at liberty to answer, I suggest that you do not pester them." Integra answered, "I hope that no one will cause any trouble while the issue at your normal school is handled."
"What exactly is the problem with the castle?" Blaise Zabini asked.
Integra frowned, "The Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts staff alike have agreed that this is best not discussed with the students," she answered firmly, "Now, lunch will be served promptly in the room to your right," she said, gesturing to her left.
A pair of students opened the doors, a huge room the size of the Great Hall (probably magically extended) was there.

After a while another blonde came in, her eyes were not as icy as Integra's, she briefly began speaking with Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, and then sat down.
"Who's that?"
"Defence Against Dark Arts teacher probably."
"She looks pretty young."
"And she's not eating anything."
"Perhaps she's not hungry."
"Maybe, but to not be hungry at a meal like this seems off."
After everyone finished Professor McGonagall stood up.
"I would like to present Professor Victoria, who will be teaching Defence Against Dark Arts this year. I trust that you will give her the same respect that you have given your previous teachers."
Professor Victoria walked over and stared down at some Slytherins, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't mutter, if you have something to say say it out loud," she stated firmly.
The Slytherins leapt out of their skin.
"Wow, I'm starting to enjoy this year already." Harry stated.
"How do you think she knew they were muttering about her?"
"Shouldn't have done it so close to the staff table." Harry answered.
Professor McGonagall tapped a glass, "Furthermore, lessons shall start first thing tomorrow morning, spend this afternoon unpacking and familiarising yourself with the area that is available to you."

Professor Victoria went up to Neville, "I brought you a map, I was told you had a knack for forgetting things, just keep it in your pocket and you should be fine."
"Thank you Professor." Neville answered, taking it.
"Do you know the estate well then?" Harry asked.
"Pretty well yes," she answered, heading off.
As she left the magically extended dining room Seras looked at the timetable, "Good, Friday afternoons off, time to rest," she said to herself, "Third years first thing, then the first, and then the seventh years before lunch, perfect, I could have a word with that Harry kid then," she put away the piece of parchment and headed to the basement while no one was looking.

When she entered her room Alucard was sitting at the table, "Anything of interest police girl?" he asked.
"Master you do know that you're going to have to drop that if you walk into a classroom right?" Seras asked, "It would give the students too many questions."
"I'll keep that in mind," he answered absently.
Seras sighed, "Well, apart from the Slytherin house are troublemakers and Harry has a habit of asking questions, particularly obvious ones, not really."
"Asks obvious questions?"
"I gave a student with a habit of getting lost a map, and he was questioning how much I knew the layout."
"Can't blame the kid for keeping on his toes, you forget that Voldemort is after him."
"I know, but still, it's almost as if he looks for trouble without knowing it."
Alucard chuckled, "But then again, it's a kind of trouble that makes him increasingly famous among his own kind doesn't it? I got a number of brief facts from McGonagall's mind, stopped Voldemort getting the Philosopher's Stone at the age of 11, stopped a memory of Voldemort using a basilisk to kill all with non-magical blood a year later, discovering that the traitor of his family is right under his nose in the form of a rat at 13, becoming a champion in a deadly tournament the following year, not to mention escaping from Voldemort on his resurrection. Escaped Voldemort again in the walls of the Ministry of Magic at 15, and he probably did something at 16 too, but the boy didn't confide in her."
"When did you do that?"
"When she was asleep, no other way."
"Sir Integra's going to take a shotgun to you if you keep this up."
"You didn't give her that idea did you?"
"It was off the bat."
The nosferatu looked relieved.
"You look as if a shotgun would actually kill you."
"It would just hurt a lot more than the pistol she normally uses."
Seras sighed again, "Master, just don't go walking through walls during the classes, otherwise she might pull out something bigger."
"I'll probably be sleeping then."

Author's rants

Omega: Hey sis, is Seras a popular choice of teacher?
Zaneta: Well, it's the most logical, Integra would be working and Alucard doesn't have the patience.
Omega: Well, preview time!

"Oh come on! You were babies when he fell the first time around, why should you fear his name? Besides, if you were to face him what would you say?"

It's the first day of classes, and everyone is interested in what the new teacher will offer during Defence Against Dark Arts, how will she fare against the student body?

Find out in chapter 4- 'First Classes'

Zaneta: We might be on opposite sides of the country…
Omega: But we will do our best to deliver!