Chapter 13
My classes are running smoothly as a whole and I thought the majority of the students in the classes were learning but also I was enjoying the classes. By this time Snape had left most classes to me and he only taught six and seventh year Slytherin classes. Nevertheless I felt something was not necessarily kosher... It was too quiet or something felt off.
When I thought about it being too quiet Ron Weasley popped into my thoughts. Ron rarely put any effort in his homework or schoolwork as he thought it was a waste of time. There were many buttons that could be pushed for Ron to lose any sort of restraint and go jealous, angry or physically attempt mayhem. His verbal explosions had been missing in the Great Hall and I had not heard of any detentions headed in his direction. I was sure that one day these traits would lead him into serious problems if he did learn to control his temper and jealousy. I went to Ava over my other thoughts.
"Ava you're my beautiful wife which I adore but I've got to ask some questions. I think they may be somewhat disturbing questions for you."
"The way you're starting this question am I to assume you're planning on running off with Professor Snape in some illicit affair."
"Quite disturbing and hilarious my love but no, Snape is not part of my love interest."
"So Harry, what's bothering you?"
"Actually the entire female population as a start. However, I've tried to exclude the normal fascination of the female population of me being a professor and all the other accolades, however, I got this feeling that suddenly I am available.. Cracky, doesn't the female population understand that I am happily married?"
"That's very interesting Harry. Now that you mention it I have similar problems and I have to beat off the girls. Somehow they think you're available through me, you not planning on getting a second wife already, are you?"
"How is it that I am now answering my own question? All I can hope is that you and I live through this insanity and end up with a peaceful and happy life. Apparently there's someone or some entity trying to causes problems that I'm probably not going to accept."
"I love you too Harry. Have you by any chance know a repelling spell or a similar curse? There are a couple girls that are interested beyond normal."
"Now that you have asked there is a variation of one of your cooking spell's that you could use that may be quite painful. The incantation is and the wand movements are thus." I would find out later that my uneasiness wasn't the female population but some more of Dumbledore's machinations and some unfilled magic lurking in the shadows which would affect both of our lives.
/Scene Break/
To every extent possible Dumbledore was using the ministry and manipulating everything and everybody. The results was that I was basically safe at Hogwarts from reporters, Death Eaters and those from the ministry trying to affect Harry Potter. So basically I only had Dumbledore's manipulations to tend with. Like his interference in the course syllabus. The course syllabus probably had been around for centuries but Dumbledore kept trying to have me not teach certain areas. I wondered if that wasn't the curse on the DADA professors tenure. This school was almost alive and I wondered if the century-old syllabus was not taught that the castle made sure the professor got the boot.
Ava was enjoying her classes but still has a lot of free time. She put that time to work by helping out in the hospital wing along with Susan Bones. Both girls apparently become quite close. Ava wanted a family in the future so knowing a few simple healing spells was definitely on the agenda and Susan attended the same class. Children did had a tendency toward minor injuries. Ava in turn was teaching me some simple healing spells.
As I was heading back to my quarters I was feeling good and beginning to understand some of the healing spells required in proper healing as explained by Ava. Lost in my own head as I thought that a lot of magic was fueled by powerful curses that fueled destructive results. Just because a broken bone was fused together in the field did not mean that it was properly aligned and functioning at full capabilities. While in the field a mending spell was many times followed by qualified healers. The healers used finesse in reconstructing and the proper order of healing. That is when I got hit with something female in great panic which sending her and I to the stone floor.
As I helped her off the floor the young lady blurted out... "They have Jamie and they are trying to make her do something indecent things in the common room. I'm looking for a professor."
Her robes indicated that she was part of Slytherin house so I had a feeling that I was heading to the dungeons. Oh well, I am a professor and authorized to enter their common room, but I'll bet this is not going to make Snape happy when he finds out.
My training or situational awareness snapped into defense and attack mode. No sooner had I entered the Slytherin common room then a dozen curses were flung in my direction. I returned their welcoming as I stunned the four offenders. That's when I notice the panicking female had disappeared. Sccaning the common room for other attackers it was obvious this was a planned ambush, there were no other persons in the common room.
I figured that Dumbledore should be called and to handle this mess when the Slytherin head of house, the one and only Severus Snape, made his appearance.
"Potter what are you doing in my area of responsibility?"
"I don't know, maybe stopping an attack on me or other rule breaking activities in your house. Why don't you slither off and call Dumbledore, he needs to handle this mess."
"You will leave now as I will handle this misunderstanding that you have caused. As you astutely pointed out, this is my house, Potter!."
"No, I think you best call Dumbledore before I call the Aurors."
"Why you arrogant"... I'm sure he had more to say but since he had drawn his wand he got to be part of my training exercise for that evening and joined the other Slytherins attackers in a state of unconsciousness.
I yelled down a hallway for a Slytherin Perfect. One reluctantly appeared and I sent him off to find Dumbledore.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore finally entered the Slytherin common room, "Tell, us what happened tonight, my boy"
"If you don't mind headmaster I will wait until the Aurors arrives so I only have to tell these events one time."
"I'm sorry my boy but until I understand the ramifications of this evening's activities the Aurors will not be called."
"You really are a piece of work Dumbledore. As a professor in your institution and being as slow as I am, I do recognize a premeditated attack on an assistant professor is the same as an attack on a professor. Or are you telling me that these activities are just part what normally happens here at Hogwarts?"
"There is a great difference between an assistant professor and a real professor. You do not understand my boy. I'm sure that the activities tonight were solely misguided attentions brought on by unintentional moment of faulty logic manifesting into defending one's house."
"Call the Aurors jackass or I will send a copy of my memories this evening to the Daily Profit. I'm sure you'll be able to explain how this evening's activities fit into your plans for the greater good."
Dumbledore levitated the students along with Snape and headed out towards his office. I of course followed.
While Dumbledore did finally call the Aurors he tried to persuade them all this was school business as it was an attack by Hogwarts students on a Hogwarts assistant professor. He wasn't happy when I informed them...
"Dumbledore you do realize this was also an attack on a Lord of an Ancient and Noble house? Unless you wish me to declare an honor duel to the death with these miscreants I suggest you let the Aurors proceed with their investigation."
"Perhaps you're right Professor Potter, Aurors, you may proceed with your investigation."
That's all Aurors needed to hear and departed with the still unconscious students. I departed the office before Dumbledore could revive Snape.
/Scene Break/
Things were quiet since the last manifesting of faulty logic, and yes, even Snape. The Christmas break had arrived.
"Harry my boy, since you are the newest Professor you get to ride the Hogwarts express to platform 9 ¾ as our school representative. You will of course again ride the Hogwarts express back to Hogwarts after vacation break is over with."
I figured this was a get even gesture on his part. It has taken a lot of his time get the four students back into Hogwarts and to quell Snape's ire. However the train rides were part of the normal duties being an assistant professor at Hogwarts, so... Ava was sure to have some last-minute Christmas shopping she needed to do or cake or pie that she wished to make while I was bored to death on the train.
Things didn't turn out like anyone thought or planned. Whether it was the way magical's thought or planned or just stupidity like on my part, the boring trip got unbelievable. Looking back I would guesstimate it was a kidnapping attack and not a killing attack but who was I to presume. The train was forcibly stopped on level ground with a forest starting thirty feet on one side of the train and an open farmland on the other side. About thirty death eaters charged out of the forest and took up positions twenty feet from the train with wands drawn. I hustled to the other side of the train car to see what we were facing from the open field. There stood Voldemort and six of his inner circle jerks approximately forty feet from the train. Between Voldemort and the train were about fifteen Death Eaters. I had no fantasies about getting out of this mess alive but I wasn't going to be trapped like a rat in a tin can.
I popped out of the train on Voldemort's side, and not using Dumbledore's tactic of calling Voldemort by his half-blood name, instead I opened up with my backup wand and wand-less magic. Bombarda Maxima, Defodio, Expulso flew from my wand as well as an Incendio, a Sectumsempra, and a couple of Avada Kedavra shot wandlessly from my hand. Furthermore, I was moving and dodging using my style of transport to drive them nuts or kill them. Their anti-apparition wards were useless against my form of transportation and I took full advantage as I continued my baradge of curses, hexes and spells. That's not to say they didn't returned my spells and curses and my thigh was bleeding pretty good. Just as one of my wand-less Avada Kedavra seem to hit Voldemort the Dark Lord and those left standing disappeared. As quickly as it started it was over, as I turned I saw more problems. A large number of Aurors on brooms were attacking the Death Eaters on the other side of the train. Tucking away my backup wand I pulled out my school wand and headed to the other side of the train. I would mull over if my AK got Voldemort later. I then joined the fight with a number of minor spells and curses such as Stupefy.
The battle escalated as the Aurors and Death Eaters opened up on each other ferociously. Naturally, someone choose to sneak up on me at that exact moment. Instinctively I rolled away just as a bright orange spell seared by my head. I stubled to my feet, my wand in action as I cast an area-wide stunner. The stunner blasted the sneaking attacker and sent him flying against the train. Finally, after a short but intense fight, the battle drew to a close and the paperwork started.
"Professor Potter, I hear from a number the students that you had a slight duel with Voldemort. Might I see your wand?"
"Of course Madame Bones." As I handed my Hogwarts wand over to her as I added, "Do thank your field healer for me. I didn't get to thank her as she was quite busy at the time."
"You had quite an audience watching that duel with Voldemort. The students were raving over your spell work. I'm afraid it is already difficult to separate fact from fiction." Those words were not making me any happier as Madame Bones pointed her wand at my Hogwarts wand and cast... "Prior Incantato".
Audience indeed I thought. "Indeed, I'm quite familiar with the rumor mill at Hogwarts. I've been the hero of the wizard world and the new rising Dark Lord all in the same week."
"My checking your wand now will help squash any claims of the use of any inappropriate spells or curses." Madame Bones returned my wand and stated, "And I will indeed forward your thanks to our healer."
/Scene Break/
The students were now pouring back into the Great Hall after the Christmas break. I was about to ruin everybody's good mood.
The students had their feast but before Dumbledore had his words of wisdom but before he could release them to bed...
"Headmaster I would like to address the hall with a few words." Dumbledore gave his nod of consent and I started...
"I must say I'm sorely disappointed with the students of Hogwarts that were on the train going on Christmas break. On your trip for your Christmas vacation thirty Death Eaters and Voldemort attacked the train." I waited until the shrieks, gasps and other noises declined because I use the name Voldemort. "How many of you sent curses, hexes or spells at those Death Eaters? Five or six students raise their hands. "For those of you who raised your hand the following word is not meant for you...for the rest of you... COWARDS!. As students you are not expected to fight Death Eaters BUT when hundreds of students are faced with thirty Death Eaters and probable death and only a handful do the right thing, I must say I'm sorely disappointed. Voldemort only exists because good people can't even say his name and are to cowardly to even defend themselves. Thank you headmaster for the time." I then left the Great Hall with Ava by my side.