Disclaimer: I own nothing! Oh but how I wish I did!
A/N: Wowzers! I so did not expect to get as many reviews for this as I did! And I mean it! I really, really do! Now, this chapter I was really worried about, since this'll either make or break this story. So please be honest when you decided what to write! Well, here we go!
Chapter Two: Think of Me…
1870 was the year it had all begun. Back then, Hogwarts was the best wizarding school throughout the entire United Kingdom; perhaps even the whole world. Students between the ages of eleven and seventeen flocked there each September, hoping to increase their skills in magic. And despite some minor changes, the year of 1870 appeared to be just as normal as any other year. But appearances, as anyone unfortunate enough to be involved in the following events, can often be deceiving.
One of the changes which were to be taking place this year was the resignation of Armando Dippet, the school's headmaster. When asked as to the reason for his retirement, he simply said it was for 'medicinal purposes'. Not many knew the job was actually slowly6 driving him out of his mind. So, as a replacement, he had chosen Albus Dumbledore, a man who had graduated from Hogwarts himself some time before. He had taught at Hogwarts for a while, but decided to teach in Paris for a little while, thus not wholly aware of everything that was going on in the school.
The day in which the story begins is the day Armando introduced Albus to the entire school during breakfast. With him were Rufus Scrimgeour and Cornelius Fudge, two new ministry officials. In fact, Scrimgeour was the new Head of the Auror office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement while Fudge was the new Minister of Magic. When Armando Dippet entered, the students were talking excitedly about the start of term. However, they were soon silenced when Armando stood in front the Head Table and raised his hands.
"Attention, students. I have an announcement to make. I am sure that by now all of you have heard rumors of my inevitable retirement. This is, indeed true. I would like to introduce you to three gentlemen who will now have a big part in the future of Hogwarts. First, there are two new ministry officials; Mr. Cornelius Fudge, our new minister, and Mr. Rufus Scrimgeour, our new Head of Auror department." The students clapped when both of them walked in from the side door. They waved to all the students, and then to the teachers. Armando continued on.
"And I would also like to introduce you to your new headmaster, Albus Dumbledore." Everyone clapped once again when Albus came in from the same door that the others did. And as he made his way to Armando, shaking his hand, a young woman bent over to her friend at the end of the teachers table.
"It's Albus," she whispered. All teachers had their assistances. The potions master, the Transfiguration professor, and even the school medi-witch had their apprentices. The young woman who spoke was the apprentice of the Transfiguration professor, Professor Jane Umbridge. The other young woman she spoke to was Poppy Pomfrey, her best friend and apprentice to the school medi-witch, and her mother, Rose Pomfrey.
"Who?" she asked.
"My former teacher. You were in France at the time. He helped me to become an animagus. And afterward, we would talk for hours about anything and nothing. Sometimes we would play chess. I had the biggest crush on him. He called me Tabby." They smiled at each other as they both looked back at him.
"Oh, Minerva, he's so handsome," she said. Minerva McGonagall blushed a deep shade of red. It was true. They turned to listen to what he was saying.
"Yes, yes, I am proud to become the new Headmaster of Hogwarts, and am looking forward to all the great advancements we shall make." There was more clapping. Just then, a frogfish looking woman stood from her spot, which was right next to the Head chair, and came around the table, her hand held out. She was very arrogant in the way she carried herself, and her clothes were some of the most outrageous Albus had ever seen. But he kept a smile on as he greeted her. Armando helped with the introduction.
"Oh, Albus, this is Jane Umbridge, our Transfiguration professor, Head of Slytherin house, and Deputy Headmistress." Jane curtsied as she offered her hand, which Albus, being the gentleman that he was, took and kissed. "She is our best teacher."
"It's an honor, madam," he said. There was a cough from behind her and she stepped aside slightly. There was a slightly shorter man, though he was just as round. He smiled.
"Oh yes, and this is Mr. Joshua Miller, our potions master. He is one of the best there is, in fact." The man bowed.
"Once again, it is an honor, sir," Albus said. He looked around at the students and then back at the students. "Now, I do believe that I am keeping you from your meal."
"Quite right," said Armando. The students continued with their breakfast.
"I shall be back momentarily." With that, Albus walked out, right past Minerva, and kept going. Minerva was rather disappointed, but Poppy placed a reassuring hand on her arm.
"He wouldn't recognize me," Minerva said.
"He didn't see you," Poppy reassured.
"Madam Pomfrey, how are you doing?" asked Fudge. Rose had then walked up to him to greet him.
"Very well, sir," she said.
"Madam Pomfrey," said Armando, "Would you be so kind as to show these kind gentlemen around for a moment, I must see to some things." Rose nodded and Armando left.
"If you would be so kind as to follow me, good sirs, I shall show you how the students react to each other." She brought them up and down between each of the houses before finally coming back to the front. "We take particular pride in our apprentices, gentlemen."
"I can see why," smiled Fudge.
"Especially that one," said Scrimgeour, pointing to Poppy.
"She is my daughter," sniffed Rose. "I am very proud of her, sir, and you would do well not to stare." Fudge and Scrimgeour exchanged smiles.
"What of that one?" asked Fudge, pointing to Minerva. "The one sitting next to your daughter?"
"Minerva McGonagall, our Transfigurations apprentice. Promising talent, sir. Very promising."
"McGonagall, did you say?" asked Fudge. "Any relation to the famous Scottish wand maker?"
"His only child, sir," replied Rose. They stared at her as she talked animatedly with Poppy. "Now, if you'll excuse me, it is time for classes to begin." Jane stood up and dismissed them, since neither Armando nor Albus were there.
Just as the students were about to leave, the lights went out and the double doors closed. Everyone screamed loudly. There was an evil laugh, causing even more people to cry out in surprise. When the lights came back on, people were muttering, mostly something about a school ghost.
"He's here," Minerva whispered to Poppy. "The phantom of Hogwarts. He's here!" While everyone was frantic, Rose walked over to the very end of the staff table and picked up an envelope that had fallen there.
"Professor Umbridge," said Scrimgeour quickly as he found the Transfiguration professor on the floor, paralyzed on the floor. He pulled out his wand and muttered a spell, causing her to jump up and begin to shout at him furiously.
"I'm sorry, madam," he said. "These things do happen."
"What? 'These things do happen? These things do happen?' For the past five years, these things 'do happen'! Ever since I took this job, 'these things do happen! Well, until you stop these things from happening, this thing," pointing to herself, "will not happen! For I will not teach under these conditions! I have had it! Good bye!" With that, she stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving two ministry officials behind her.
"Well, what do we do?" asked Scrimgeour. Fudge looked at Professor Miller.
"Professor Umbridge? She will be coming back, won't she?" he asked. He shrugged.
"You think so?" inquired Rose. He held up the letter. "I have a message sir, from the school ghost."
"Good Lord, you are all obsessed," sighed Scrimgeour. He was now thoroughly becoming enraged with this constant talk of the phantom of Hogwarts, whom he knew did not really exist. It was all anyone seemed to be talking about nowadays. Rose just ignored him.
"He welcomes you to his school-," she began.
"His school?" asked Scrimgeour with a frown. Rose continued.
"And he commands that you continue to leave the Room of Requirement for his use, as well as half the portraits in this castle," she pointed to the main one standing above the double doors of the Great Hall, "and reminds you that his salary is due."
"His salary?" frowned Scrimgeour, taking the note and looking at it.
"Yes, his salary," she said. "Professor Dippet used to pay him 20,000 pounds a month."
"20,000 pounds?" hissed Fudge.
"Perhaps you can afford more, with Professor Dumbledore as your Headmaster?"
"I was hoping to make that announcement in the paper tomorrow, after his first day as Headmaster, but now, it appears as if our congratulations will be ruined because we have no Transfigurations professor!" shouted Scrimgeour, tearing up the letter.
"Minerva McGonagall can do it, sir," said Rose, now by the apprentice table. Minerva turned around slowly, a scared look on her face.
"The apprentice?" asked Fudge. "Don't be silly."
"Let her teach for you, sir. She has been well taught," assured Rose.
"Really?" asked Fudge. "Who?"
"I don't know his name, minister," Minerva said, smiling apologetically. She knew that it sounded ridiculous, but it was true. For some time now, she had been taking private lessons from a teacher, though she only knew him as the Angel of Magic.
"Oh, very well," sighed Fudge. "If we must, we must."
Ooooooooooo
"I am very glad that you have agreed to become our new Headmaster," said Armando to Albus as they walked through the halls of Hogwarts.
"Well, I feel like it is the best thing for me, especially since I already feel so at home here at Hogwarts," Albus replied. "After all, I came to school here for seven years, and taught here for a few years afterward."
"Yes, so it would just go to show that you never really go away, doesn't it?" chuckled Armando. As they passed one of the classes, Albus smiled. This was his old classroom, the one in which he had spent many days, teaching and filling the minds of many students. He stopped at stared at the great oak door.
"I see that you remember this classroom," smiled Armando. "Care to sit in on the class in progress?" Albus smiled.
"Yes, I believe I shall," he smiled. They entered silently, unnoticed by the professor, and only by a few of the students.
Ooooooooooo
As Minerva taught the class, she found that it came naturally to her. She was surprised to see how easily the words just seemed to come from her mouth, and how easy it was to answer the questions of the students. And when she finished and dismissed them, the students were talking excitedly, claiming that this had been one of their best classes in a long time.
As Albus and Armando sat in the back of the class, the former was met with a flood of memories. He recognized the intelligent, beautiful witch with whom he used to teach. She had, indeed, grown more beautiful since the last time he had seen her. And he remembered how much he cared for her, as more than just a student. But he never said a word, for it would not be right. He wanted to say something to her after the class, but she had left just before he could say anything. He then thought that it would be better if he could surprise her.
"So, Albus, I suppose it was a good thing that Jane left isn't it?" chuckled Armando. "Minerva sure seems to have the knack for teaching, doesn't she?" He nodded.
"Yes, she does," he replied. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I must bid you adieu." With that, he shook Armando's hand and left. He had a visit to Hogsmede to make, and then a former student to see.
To Be Continued…
A/N2: Okay, I am sorry if this is kind of shaky, but it's kinda hard to transfer it from a ballet school/opera in Paris to a wizard's school in England. So you have to give me at least a little grace on that fact. But that aside, what did you think? Please tell me! Always Hopeful