~An Emerald amongst a Sea of Stone~
Prologue
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Filius Flitwick's quick, short steps echoed through the empty halls of Hogwarts, as his small figure hurried towards the Great Hall.
It was the Twentieth of July - in the middle of the summer holidays for any student. Unfortunately though, the pleasure of being exempt from work during this time of the year didn't apply to Professors like himself.
So it was with rings under his eyes, that he rushed through the castle, trying to reach the staff meeting Albus had called in for tonight in time.
His newly picked up duty as Goblin Ambassador for the International Confederation for Wizards, and his seasonal authorship for Transfiguration Today had left him quite drained these past few weeks.
Nevertheless, a staff meeting was something he wouldn't dare miss.
It was usually around this time of the year that Minerva distributed the Muggleborn escorts, and after all, he had never missed to score one for over thirty years. Most often, the duty of introducing unknowing children to their world fell to Minerva herself - it seemed most of their colleagues were rather overworked themselves - but somehow, Filius always managed to make time.
It was simply… magical seeing a child's eyes light up at seeing the wonders of magic for the first time. The questions that followed only made the process more enjoyable.
For its many faults that their world had - so many he couldn't even count - the simple sight of a child's conjured smile on their face was enough to make him forget it all for just a moment.
Briefly, an image of an auburn-haired girl with sparkling, green eyes flashed past his mind and his lips twisted into a pained smile.
Out of breath, he strode through the gates.
He could spot Albus', Minerva's and most of their other colleagues' figures sitting on their respective, elevated stools at the end of the hall. They acknowledged his presence with a nod and a smile - except for Severus, of course, who - as always - only gave him his trademark sneer.
He bowed in return, taking his seat on the chair with a comical amount of books stacked onto it. He was proud of his Goblin-Ancestry, no doubt, but he had to admit… it was a disadvantage at times.
'I hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long,' Filius said with a soft smile on his face.
The headmaster merely shook his head. 'Of course not, Filius. We understand you have been quite busy recently. If this meeting is too great a hindrance to your duties, please count yourself excused.'
The small man shook his head. 'No, no. By all means - please begin. I wouldn't miss it for the world.'
'Well then,' Albus began, his voice echoing across the table. 'Allow me to begin by introducing, or rather reintroducing, Quirinus Quirrell to our wonderful staff.'
Filius' gaze flickered and rested on the man in question for a moment. Neither the visible nervosity on the man's face, nor his eccentric clothing, which was topped by a bright-purple turban, reminded him of the young Muggle Studies Professor from a few years ago. Admittedly though, he had never known Quirinus very well.
'As most of you know,' the headmaster continued. 'Quirinus had left us in order to pursue his dream of an extended sabbatical in the magical forests of Albania four years ago. But fortunately for us, he has now decided to return to our bright institution once more, this time taking the post of Professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts.'
Albus gave Charity Burbage, their current Muggle Studies Professor, a warm smile, allowing the petite woman to relax. On the other end of the table, Severus' sneer only deepened.
'I'm sure Quirinus managed to amass a vast amount of obscure and deep knowledge during his travels, and thus he will make a magnificent addition to these halls, once more.'
An awkward silence hung over the table, as they waited for Quirinus to speak - yet his words never came. Even from a distance, Filius could see drops of sweat trickling down the man's forehead.
Surprisingly enough, Minerva was the one to save their new colleague from his spotlight. 'It is indeed wonderful to welcome Quirinus as part of Hogwarts once more, but since I'm sure we're all rather pressed on time at the moment, I would like to take the chance to continue.'
The headmaster lowered his head. 'By all means, Minerva. Please.'
The Scottish woman stood up from her chair, straight as an arrow.
'As per usual, it is during this time of the year, that the escorts for all of our new muggle-born and -raised children come up. Since this year, I unfortunately won't be able to take them all by myself, I'll have to ask for help from some of you, to assure that all of our new students are well prepared for their first year at Hogwarts.'
The Professors' reactions were no surprise. Most seemed to offer Minerva a regretful smile, while some select few - most notably Severus - grimaced.
'I have four children in need of an escort this year.'
She fidgeted a small roll of parchment out of her robe's pocket. 'Dean Thomas, the son of a single-mother, whose interests lie in sports and chess.'
Filius waited for Minerva to continue.
'Hermione Granger, an academically talented daughter of two muggle-healers, who learned to read at the age of four.'
A potential Ravenclaw, he mused.
'Justin Finch-Fletchley, the second child of a rich muggle family. His strengths lie in mathematics and he likes to socialise with his peers.'
Interesting.
'And lastly…' Minerva swallowed, closing her eyes. 'Harry Potter. Lil- Lily and James Potter's son.'
A stinging, burning heat suddenly spread in Filius' chest. Harry. He'd completely forgotten the boy would be coming to Hogwarts this year. Of course… he was born in 1980. He'll be thirteen by the end of the month…
But why would the child need an escort to the Alley? Lily- Filius swallowed - Lily obviously couldn't care for her son, but where had the boy then been sent instead?
He'd assumed Harry would be living with the Longbottom's, with Alice having been his godmother. But it wasn't hard to see that Frank hadn't wanted to take another child under his wing after what had happened… that night.
A shudder ran down his spine, just thinking about the day. October 31st, 1981 - the best, and at the same time, worst date in the history of Wizarding Britain…
But nothing of it explained why Harry needed an escort. Frank must have taken care of the boy's accomodation in another way. But then why…
Suddenly, something terrible, absolutely blood-freezing dawned on him. His gaze snapped towards Minerva, his eyes' usual bright sparkle replaced by cold fury.
'He's with Petunia.' It wasn't a question.
She nodded tightly.
Frank, you absolute… Words couldn't convey the emotions he felt in that moment. Harry, Lily's son, a child with accidental magic so strong they had held it for a fluke, under Petunia Evans' roof. He closed his eyes, his teeth clenching without his consent.
Harry had never been his responsibility. Filius had been looking forward to building a relationship with the boy - his favourite student's son - at the start of his education, telling him things about his mother, perhaps giving him some closure about her… cruel, cruel fate.
But this… this turned things on their head. Completely.
'What's the address?' he whispered.
Albus spoke up in Minerva's stead. 'Filius, are you sure that-'
'What is the address?' he repeated dangerously.
The headmaster made another move to calm the Charms Professor, but Minerva's quiet words stopped him in his tracks.
'No. 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.'
Filius shook his head. 'The letter?'
Silence. Everyone stared at the tiny man as if he had gone mad. Except for Severus - the man's sneer had vanished.
'The letter?' he demanded, his voice rising in volume.
Minerva pulled an enchanted envelope from her pocket. Filius almost tore it from her grasp, and briskly dispelled the obfuscation charm, giving the envelope a long look.
Mr. H Potter
The Cupboard under the Stairs
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
The crack of his disapparation shattered each and every glass of wine on the table.
~§~
My dears,
This is a… prologue to a story I've played around with writing for quite a while.
It's short and designed that way. I've chosen to keep the context to a minimum. Just bear in mind that if I decide to further pursue this story, it will continue from Harry's perspective.
I'm curious to see how all of you will receive this… well I suppose you could say this one-shot. Let me know what you think in the reviews - or on Discord. I'm only too happy to discuss it with you.
Have a beautiful day,
Redd
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