Chapter 2: Faith and Planning
As soon as Enzeru got off the train she was greeted by two people. The first was a slender, older woman and the other was a huge man. "Alright there, Enzeru?" the man asked. "Yes, thank you," she replied.
"So there were no problems on the way here?" the woman asked. "No, none at all. Were you expecting something to happen?" Enzeru raised an eyebrow. "To be truthful, yes. With both you and Harry on the same train and with the history you two have with Severus…" Enzeru held up her hand to stop her.
"Minerva, you are as bad as Molly some times. I know how he thinks. He would not dare do anything on the train. He likes to have more room to move around and would prefer a better escape route," Enzeru smiled, "Don't worry, I have a plan and I am ready for anything."
"Let's hope your optimism pays off this time," Minerva said, peering over her glasses. "Just have a little faith in her, Minerva. Her uncle did," the man said. "Yes, Hagred, but he also had faith in Severus too." At this comment Enzeru cleared her thought and started to walk to the carriage waiting for her.
Hagred motioned for Minerva to go first and she did so. The three of them had a silent carriage ride to the castle. Enzeru had the feeling there was something they were not telling her.
Once the carriage reached the castle Hagred exited followed by Minerva and then Enzeru.
Enzeru looked up at the castle that had been her home many years ago. "Even the ministry can not replace the special place I hold in my heart for this castle." She turned to the other two, "Shall we then?"
Hagred opened the large front doors to the castle and Enzeru stepped inside. The warm feeling of returning home from a long vacation or business trip overcame her and she smiled. "It has been far too long," Enzeru said as she made her way into the great hall.
"Enzeru there are a few things you need to know before the students get here. First off, you should always remind the students of the rules. Secondly, first years usually get their biggest first impression from the head of the school during the sorting. Third and finally, your uncle met with all of the staff right after the feast. I would like to continue that tradition especially during these troubling times." Minerva spoke fast as the carriages arrived at the front of the castle.
"Thanks for the tips. I was planning to have the meeting to discuss some minor security details. Also, the new defense against the dark arts professor will be here soon." Enzeru smiled with pride.
"Oh, really? Who is it?" Minerva asked. "Miss Tonks." Enzeru answered. "Good choice, Enzeru. She is a right smart auror, although still a little young." Hagred replied. "Yeah, I thought the experience she has had so far would prove handy in the class room." Enzeru heard the door open and nodded for Minerva to go meet the first years. Hagred was not escorting them this year; instead Enzeru had requested an auror escort them. Alastor Moody, although retired, volunteered to do the job.
Enzeru took her seat at the head of the center of the teacher's table and watched as the students entered.
Harry and Molly's children sat together and Enzeru smiled at them. They returned the smile.
As soon as all the students were seated Minerva brought in the first years, a stool, and a tattered old hat. She explained the sorting and then turned to Enzeru who in turn stood and said, "Let the sorting begin."
The hat opened its mouth to speak and instead of a song it gave a warning:
Beware dear friends both old and new.
There are things coming after you.
We must all come together and not falter in our quest.
Because no one house is truly better than the rest.
Griffindors are brave.
Slythens try to be all they can be.
Ravenclaws value their wit and intelligence.
And Hufflepuffs are friendliest yet.
All these qualities are noble indeed.
But evil follows another creed.
We are all equals, this is true.
But let's find out which house are you.
Everyone was a little stunned by the hat's short but frightening song. Enzeru bowed her head a moment and then looked up at Minerva who in turn looked back at her. Enzeru nodded as a sigh to continue.
Minerva began to call the students to be sorted. Each one seemed frightened to a different degree. Enzeru smiled and nodded to each one as they came up in front of their peers and sat upon the stool. She clapped for each one as they joined the other members of their chosen house at the house tables.
It was not too long before all the students had been sorted and the stool and hat were taken to a corner. Enzeru stood and took a deep breath.
"Welcome back everyone. And welcome for the first time to our first years. I know you all have noticed the sorting hat has changed its song." Enzeru was interrupted by the door flying open and a broom whizzing around the room, barely missing some people's heads.
Enzeru watched as the woman flying the broom landed, grinning. "Sorry I'm late, I had a few things I had to do," she said, facing Enzeru. "Good to see you, Tonks. So you accepted the position after all, I was beginning to wonder." Enzeru extended her hand and Tonks took it, "Like I could really pass this up." Enzeru motioned for her to take her seat.
"As I was saying, things are a little different this year. However, I am trying to keep things as much like my uncle would have kept them. Many of you are already aware of this, but my uncle was the late headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. His death was a tragic day for all of wizard kind; however, we shall go on. I am placing tighter security on the school's boarders. No one, and I mean no one, but professors are allowed to go in the forest. It has become far too dangerous. I am also forbidding anyone from being outdoors after sunset. Even professors should be indoors by then unless it is necessary. I will be placing guards at the gate, don't worry, they will not be dementors. I refuse to allow their kind near the school. Also, do not wander the halls at night. In even that someone does break through our defenses you will all be safer in bed while the professors handle the problem."
Enzeru paused a moment and then continued, "Furthermore, I urge you all to check the news boards for a list of items banned from the halls and the grounds. I apologize for the strictness I have had to bring to the school with me but it is for the protection of everyone here. I do not want anyone hurt this year." Her eyes drifted to the Gryffindor table.
"Well, in other news," she began with a little humor, "We have two new teachers this year." She motioned to Tonks, "Miss Tonks is an auror from the ministry and I asked her to take on the position for defense against the dark arts professor. I trust her with this most important of subjects. And as for potions I shall take over that position myself."
Enzeru noticed Minerva look at her a little funny and smiled back, "No worries, my classes won't be too bad. Well, with that being said, let us all feast."
The food appeared before them and they ate. The whole hall buzzed with talk of everything that had been said.
As everyone finished eating Enzeru stood and tables cleared, "Now that the feast has ended I ask you all to follow your prefects to your common rooms. Please consider this your home while you are here and your houses like family. However, we must not allow the house system to divide us. Off to bed and sleep well. Schedules will be given to everyone at breakfast."
Enzeru walked over to the chamber door behind the teacher's table and motioned for the professors to follow her.
They entered the room full of different magical odds and ends. A fire was roaring in the fireplace at the other end of the room. Enzeru walked over to the fire and leaned on the warm stone to wait for everyone.
"Is this everyone?" She asked, looking around. She got nods from a few of the professors in the back. "Good. Well, then, I guess I should start off by saying I'm sorry. I'm sorry I am no replacement for my uncle. He was a unique man with extraordinary talent and power. He never went seeking to abuse this power, only to use it to help. There is no way I can replace him. However, I plan to do this job as well as I can if not better."
Enzeru took a moment to examine the faces of those watching and smiled. "I suppose that is enough of that. The true issue at hand is the security of the school and the protection of the students. I have received a permit from the ministry to place dragons at the gates and to bring into animation a few of the statues in the castle."
There was a gasp at the mention of dragons and Enzeru held up a hand before anyone could speak. "Do not worry, I have raised these dragons from eggs and trained them myself. They will listen to me and to anyone I order them to follow. Hagred, I will be placing you in charge of my friendly beasts."
Hagred nodded in reply and Enzeru continued, "I will be going into the forest tomorrow morning to speak with the centaurs. Firenze, I will need to speak with you after this meeting about this venture I am planning. I will also go to visit the merfolk living in the lake. I feel like both races will understand where I am coming from when I tell them what the order has discovered about Voldemort."
Several people in the room flinched and Enzeru continued, "We must keep this all secret. What I say in this room stays in this room. I shall be setting this place up to be the security center so to speak. We will have frequent visits from aurors other than Miss Tonks. If anyone has any ideas to make this place safer please let me know soon so that I may administer the proper action. Does anyone have any questions?"
"How do you plan to control the dragons?" Professor Flitwick asked. "Simple, they see me as their mother, they will not challenge me. If they do I'll put them in their place. I feel they are well behaved and will not give us any trouble." Enzeru sat crossed in front of the fire place and waited for more questions.
"What will we do if you-know-who does happen to get in the castle?" Minerva asked. "Then we will fight him and his minions back," Enzeru began, "It is up to us to protect the students and make sure the parents feel this place is safe for their children."
"How will we do that?" Professor Sprout asked. "Well, I guess we will have to give the parents a vague idea of what we have here. Just tell them we have guards within and without the castle as well as plans on how we will deal with the problems if they arise."
There was quiet for a moment and then Minerva spoke up, "How are you planning to deal with Severus if he returns to the castle?" This was the question Enzeru could not answer and she shook her head, "I will do what is needed to protect the students, staff, magical creatures, and grounds it does not matter who the attacker is. However, I would prefer not to kill him and to take him alive if possible." Minerva nodded, "I know this must be hard for you and you must be very strong to handle it so well."
Enzeru shook her head, "You're wrong. I'm very weak, I should say I would kill him on sight but I can not say that because I am unsure if I could do that." "I understand," Minerva replied, "I will do what I can to help you." "Thank you. You are all dismissed, may you all have a good year. I'll call meetings as needed," Enzeru replied and walked out of the room.