Regulus woke up in his bed absolutely refreshed knowing that today he will be returning to Hogwarts. He got his letter few days ago, informing him that he was one of the prefects this year. Of course, his parents were very proud of him.
He readied himself and at 10:30 am of September 1, 1976, he is already standing in the platform 9 of King Cross Station. He is with his father today and his mother opted not to come for some reason not known to him."Son…" Regulus looked at his father. "I'm afraid, many things happened and will happen this year. I am expecting that you would neither get into trouble nor create one. And I am referring about the incident in the Diagon Alley, I hope that such will not happen again. Can have your assurance?" Orion sternly said.
"You have my word Father." Regulus replied. His father was about to say more but they were interrupted by Rabastan.
"Regulus!" Regulus turned to the source of the voice and found his friend Rabastan waving with scowling Severus walking towards them.
"What got your knickers in twist Severus?" He asked.
"Hey! Would it be proper to greet us back first after giving you a warm one?" Rabastan said.
"And certainly it would be proper to greet yourfriend'sfather first." Orion reprimanded.
Severus and Rabastan twitched. Both scared for offending Regulus Father. "Our apologies Lord Black, We were just excited of meeting Regulus again although our behavior is inexcusable. We we're sorry for offending you." Severus immediately apologized to appease Regulus father.
Orion scrutinized the words of Severus searching for a hint of insincerity. Finding none, he replied, "Obviously." Orion placed his right hand over Regulus shoulder. "Gentlemen, would you please give my son and I a moment."
The boys immediately scattered off after saying their briefgoodbyeandsee you at the trainto Regulus.
Orion heaved a sigh.
"Is that really necessary Father?" Regulus pointedly asked.
"Don't give me that tone boy!" Orion said then sigh. "Generation these days..."
Regulus bit his tongue to talk back.
"As I was about to say, you need to choose your friendswell. Although that boy Snape clearly knows his words well, this is troubled times Regulus. Many things are brewing, and I don't want our house to be caught up in something that…" His father paused. "Radical."
Regulus can't help but to rise his eyebrows but still he nodded. He cannot understand what his father going about.
"I will tell you everything on winter break. Now, be careful of what you do and say especially being in the House of Slytherin. Promise?"
Regulus found himself again nodding. His Father relaxes and the sound of the train horn trailed in the background.
"You may go to your friends now and do write us Regulus." His father reluctantly dismissed him.
Regulus proceeded to their usual compartment and found his friends waiting for him.
"Hey. Sorry about earlier." Rabastan apologized.
"Yeah. No problem." He replied. "So… What happened Severus?"
"Nothing." The man sneered.
Rabastan snorted around the corner. "His bird still doesn't want to do anything about him. Red head still sour to our poor friend here."
Severus glared at Rabastan. "It is none of your business."
"Lily Evans?" Rabastan nodded to confirm my guess. "Well, you deserve better than her Sev. You're right after all, she is just a mudblood." Regulus said.
Severus remains indifferent and became silent throughout the train ride.
Regulus proceeded in the first compartment of Hogwarts Express to meet his fellow prefects. The Head Boy and Girl assign to them their round schedule and other duties. They were informed that after the feast, they need to assist the new first years in their respective common room. Ellora Bultrode is his fellow prefect in his year. He doesn't really mind the raven haired girl, she was just typical pureblood.
When they arrive in Hogsmead, the Half Giant Hagrid assisted the first years to ride the boat to Hogwarts while Regulus and his friends rode the horseless carriage. The journey was monotonous. Hogwarts is the same as ever. The enchanted ceiling in the great hall is still breath taking and the floating candle illuminate the hall brightly. The doors of the Great Hall opened and silence fell. Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and head of Gryffindor House, was leading a long line of first years up to the top of the Hall. Nervousness is clear in every first year face. Clearly, they heard some absurd way of sorting in their relatives. One by one, the first year was called to be sorted.
"When I call out your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool," she told the first years. "When the hat announces your House, you will go and sit at the appropriate table.
"Baddock, Charleston!" Professor McGonagall called, and a blond boy approach and wore the sorting hat.
"SLYTHERIN!
Booing was heard in the Gryfindor table. The Slytherin house clapped and ushered the boy to come to them.
"Brown, Bergundy!"
"GRYFINDORR!" the sorting Hat shouted.
Majority of the Slytherin sneered. "Another Bloody Gryfindor." Someone in the backround said. Regulus, on the other hand, did not really mind what is happening in his surroundings. He was focused on the little information his friend Rabastan is telling in the Slytherin Table.
"I heard that there is major move in the Wizengmot. Apparently, a bill of prohibiting admittance of Mudbloods in Wizarding Britain was being pushed through headed by the Ancient and Noble House of Yaxley and this time, they are pretty determined." Rabastan whispered to them.
The sorting continued in the background and the Slytherins never forget their timely applauses.
Cassandra Parkinson, also a fifth year , snorted. "Really? That's nothing new, ever since, the elders already pushing the exile and banishment of the muggleborns. But, until now, it was never approved. I doubt that bill will ever be a law. Well, as long as the kind of Dumbledore still lives that is."
"I agree." Thorfinn Rowle, a fourth year, agreed quite loudly. "We will never get changes in our present Wisengmot. We need to eliminate the hindrances in order to see changes."
"Very subtle in saying Rowle." Regulus spat. "Are you planning to let the whole school know your… far-reaching ideas?"
Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Boys and their Quidditch and Politics."
"Black is correct, this is not the right place to talk about ourbeliefs."Evan Rosier, a sixth year, agreed.
Finally, 'Zeller, Rosemarie' was Sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor McGonagall picked up the Hat and stool and marched them away as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. Rowle was about to say something but Professor Dumbledore cast a sonorous on himself.
"To our newcomers," said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! Before we enjoy our feast, let me first welcome our new transferee, Miss Hermione Helen Prince Fleamont!" A Brown-Haired Girl entered the Hall who is clearly uncomfortable to the attention she was receiving. "Well, Miss Fleamont was sorted separately." Dumblefore addressed the crowd then turn to Fleamont. "Now Dear please join your fellow Ravenclaw." A loud applause came from the Gryfindor house leaded by Potter.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Attention-seeking bastard glops" He murmured.
"There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!" There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate — for food had appeared out of nowhere, so that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread and sauces and flagons of pumpkin juice.
"Isn't that your bird Black?" Rowle smirked. That got the attention of every Slytherin bloke in the table. Clearly waiting for Regulus to confirm or deny the query.
"Absolutely not." He said indifferently. Evan Rosier proceeded in eating his Treacle Tart, satisfied to Regulus reply.
Ellora Bulstrode giggled in the background and chose to add her little opinion. "Are you really not? It is all over in the paper you know. Star- crossed lovers? How sweet!"
"Yes. It also says you even duel your brother for her hand! How gallant of you Black, never peg you to have chivalry in your bones." Cassandra Parkinson teased.
He grated his teeth and glared to the insensitive witch. "I have no brother."
The two ladies look with each other. Other occupant in the table clearly became on edge. Not wishing further to witness the Black temper, Ellora Bulstrode changes the subject, though not entirely to his liking.
"So what does Lord Black says? I mean, does he approve? After all, your family supported the reinstatement ofherHouse"
"I am curious of that as well." Rabastan join again the conversation while piling his mouth with food.
"Will you tell us Black? I even heard my parents talking about it. It was clearly a bizarre move from your House. Is there a catch?" Louis Greengass the seventh year and Head Boy inquired.
Regulus contemplated his answer. Rabastan and other Slytherin within the hearing range are clearly leaning towards and vocal about blood purity. However, not all Slytherin are apparent with their affiliation. Some chose to tread the neutral ground. Although he can vouched that all of the member of Slytherin House value the blood purity, he cannot trust them to keep whatever he will say in the confines of Hogwarts. He is confident that owls will be flying after dinner informing their respective family of his reply.
"Are we really going to talk about this here in the Great hall? Where most of the other houses would be able to hear, or worst, even the professors?" he point.
His fellow Slytherin just shrugged.
Regulus mentally groaned. "Well, to satisfy your curiosity, Father chose to support the reinstatement of the House of Fleamont because he can't see why he can't. I am confident your respective families already know the truth behind my father's move. There is no really harm done. Well, except the Potters perhaps. After all, half of their holdings are inherited from the Fleamont family." He said. The realizations are clearly apparent in the faces of his peers. "And also, there is no catch Louis for whatever that entails." He added.
"Wow. As expected from Lord Black." Murmured by Rabastan. Majority of the Slytherins nodded in agreement.
"Okay. That answered the question of you guys but never mine." Cassandra pouted. "So there is no catch, which means no betrothal contract, then let say you're not reallytogether…" Cassandra added and shared a conspirator grinned with Ellora Bulstrode who giggled again. "Are you planning you woo her in the future?
Regulus looked at the witch, raising his eyebrow. "I would have said that it is none of your concern Miss Parkinson but in order to satisfy you and your friend interest, I, at present, did not see any advantage in wooing Miss Fleamont and with that I might add that I am not having any feelings for her. As of the future, that is still very unlikely." However, that still did not seem to comfort majority of the Slytherins.
"Well!" Severus said loudly. "At least, Dumbledore is in his lucid Interval." The Slytherin house laughs and goes back in their respective conversation.
After the end of the feast, Professor Horace Slughorn, their Head of House of Slytherin and Potion Master, approached the Slytherin table and handed the schedules. Thereafter, Regulus assisted the first years to the Dungeon.
Classes started again the next day. Everyone is still ecstatic in attending classes in a humid September 2, 1976. Regulus schedule is one Defense in the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws at 10:00 am and one History of Magic with the Hufflepuff at 2:00 in the afternoon. He will have Charms with Ravenclaws and his elective Ancient Runes in Thursday, Double Potions with the Gryfindor on Friday, Transfiguration with Hufflepuffs and his elective Arithmacy on Monday, and Care of Magical Creature and Astronomy on Tuesday.
He woke up early and readied himself. He never bothered waking Rabastan, it is still early after all. He traced his steps towards the Great hall and took his breakfast. He notices that the Ravenclaw table is already packed, some hufflepuffs are already up, but the Gryfindor table is deserted.
After taking his breakfast he went to the Defense and Dark Arts room. He is pretty early. So he just leaned at the door waited the door to open. He is still curious who will be their teacher this time. He hopes that the man, or woman, would be competent unlike the one they had last year. Last year, a Weasley attempted to teach them Defense Against the Dark Arts. And of course, it was a total disaster. He never minded the name. It rings with Berty or Billy. He never really cared. The man was only able to teach them for two weeks and after that, he died after apparently seeing a grim. Such a bad luck. Then a more competent instructor took the subject, Abraxas Malfoy. As shocking as it maybe, Lord Malfoy reason why he took over the subject because, as what the Hogwart's Governors decided, it is the best course of action in order for the education of the students not to be hampered.
He taught them well. The premise of his teaching is that in order to battle dark arts, one must know them first. Blood Boiling Hex and other dark curses were fired. Other houses cringed on the mode of Malfoy teachings, but Regulus didn't cared. He is learning a lot after all. Unfortunately, the man was unable to return this year. The old man contracted a Dragon Pox at the end of the year. Well, he already expected that Lord Malfoy will not be able to teach DADA more than a year because no one ever has. There was a curse on the subject and no one was able to circumvent the curse. One way or another, the one teaching DADA met unfortunate events before the end of the school term unable him to return the next term.
The door creaks open waking up Regulus from his reverie. He glanced at the empty corridor and cast tempus. It is only 9:30 in the morning still half an hour before class. Regulus shrugged. Since the classroom is already open, it is better to enter early. His feet already sting from standing very long. He was about to enter when the door closes again. He frowned. Maybe just a gust of wind he thought. He pushed the door finding it unlocked. He peeked but saw no one. He shrugged again and finally entered the room.
"You now it is polite to knock." A foreign voice told him.
Regulus jumped. Well he wished to say he gracefully turned towards the voice but he was really startled. He won't admit to anyone that he even squeaked. He glanced at the table in front where an old man was sitting. Yes, he was sittingat the table. 'He wasn't there before!'he thought then bit right back, 'Of course was! He just disillusioned himself.'The man stared expectantly at him.
"Who are you?" Regulus asked.
The man click his tongue, clearly disappointed. "I should be the one asking you that. You are a little early for your class Mr.- " the man glanced at Regulus Badge. "Prefect."
Regulus studied the man. The man appears to be a pureblood, harmless and… well ancient. Dumbledore is obviously older. Again, the man appears to be harmless. Yes, harmless. But, he feels like there is something missing. But he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was exactly. It is just… it is as if, the man intended to appear that way. Appear to be harmless. Bells are ringing in Regulus head. The man is dangerous that is for sure.
"I apologize for my rudeness. I was just startled and in no way in my intention of offending you." Regulus bowed.
"Black manners are always impeccable." The man finally left the table and proceeded to where Regulus stands.
"Thank you sir. I am a Black, indeed, Regulus Artucrus Black, Fifth year from House of Slytherin." He said. "I believe you are our new teacher in Defense Against the Dark Arts sir, or should I say, Professor? After putting the clues together, he guessed.
"Without a doubt Mr. Black." The old man was finally standing a meter away from him. "I would love to ask you to sit down but I believe I need to re arrange the room." The man looks a little regretful. "Would you please sit down in my table instead while we wait for your other classmates?" Regulus replied a yes sir and walk towards in front but he chose to stand beside the table.
The man turned his back against Regulus and began waving his wand, silently, piling the table and chairs into a miniature tower then transfigure into an Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, the man shrunk the tower and places it inside his pocket. Regulus thought the man was done, but again the man waved his wand then the room expanded magically then faces him. Regulus was awed.
"I guess it is time. Please let your classmates into the room Mr. Black."
Regulus nodded again and opened the door leading the Ravelclaws and Slytherin students inside. Cassandra and Ellora throw him a curious look and Rabastan asked him.
"You've been here the whole time?"
"What have you done?" Ellora gasped.
Regulus frowned. "I just woke up early."
"No! I mean, what have you done in the room?" Ellora clarified. "Where are we supposed to sit?"
"Don't worry dear. You wouldn't need one."
"What? Wha-" a female voice exclaimed. They all turned towards the left side of the room where the voice came from. A brown haired girl stood and a visible shock on his face was looking at their new professor. It is the Fleamont girl.
The man chuckled. Clearly loving the girls reaction.
"Welcome everyone to your OWL year and to your Defense Against the Dark Arts." The man gleamed at them. "I have been informed that you have a very excellent teacher last year. Now let me test how adept and prepared are you in taking this class. I will give you five minutes to throw anything at me. What I mean with anything includes unforgivables." He challenged them. Protest broke out but the man was just amused.
"With all due respect professor, but Unforgivables is prohibited under Wizengmot La-" Amelia Bones, a Ravenclaw Prefect, interjected.
"Yes, yes." The man just waved her off. "I was given approval that this class may be able to use unforgivables. Don't worry Ms.—Ravenclaw Prefect. " then, he regarded them. "This might be a peculiar event for you my dear student, but the aim of this lesson is in order to determine how much you know, and how much you have guts to use what you know. Now of course I would not just challenge you without a price, which I will tell you after I laid down the rules."
The fleamont girl groaned. Regulus raised his eyebrows.
"The rules are simple. I will only cast defensive spells and you will stand offensive. However, be warned, I will only cast the same offensive spell you cast that wasn't able to hit me. To be clear, whatever spells you throw at me, I will throw them back at you. So, if you're confident enough to cast cruciatus curse, imperius curse and even the killing curse, be sure that it would hit me, or, be ready to taste your own medicine." The man cast them with predatory eyes. Clearly analyzing whether the silent warning was heard,'Whatever you cast will cost you the same.'Regulus shivered. He is thrilled. He looked at Rabastan and saw the same expression he has.
"And now about the prize, whoever who was able to disarm me will receive a 100 hours private tutor and possible apprenticeship from me, or you may use the 100 hours of not attending this class. It depends with your choice really, and we can negotiate the price in case it is not with your liking." The man concluded.
"Possible apprenticeship?" another Ravenclaw inquired. "You…" The ravenclaw cleared his throat. "I am Bartemius Croach Professor, may I confirm that you are a Master?"
The man clapped. "Oh right! How very rude of me. I never yet introduce myself. My apologies ladies and gentleman. Anyway, I am Henry Fleamont Potter of the Noble House of Potters, Cursed Breaker and Defense Against the Dark Arts Master." The man smiled.
The room was silent, totally shocked to the man before them. The man's deeds were quite an urban legend after all. Everyone already heard about Henry Potter, but only few met the man. He was after one of the known living Wizard who was able to Master to difficult fields in Magic. Being a Master Curse Breaker requires mastery in Ancient runes and Charms after all. And of course, being Master of Defense against the dark arts requires vast knowledge of spellcasting and of course, Dark arts. Yes, it is a bit peculiar for a light family like Potters to have their Head learn about the Dark Arts. However, it was not that talent that Henry Potter became renowned. His odd friendships, connection and mysterious personality that made many pureblood families respect and wary of him. The man has a great influence with the magical creatures, after all, even good or bad. He is known to be acknowledge as"Friend"of the Goblin nation. Also, there was a rumor that the Dementors are afraid with the man.
That rumor started 10 years ago, when alleged Henry Potter visited the Azcaban for whatever reason unknown to the public. It is said that several dementors tried to attacked the wizard, like it doesn't want the man to step to their island, but Henry Potter casted an unknown spell and summoned lightning that shook the island, prompting the dementors to flee and left the island. It took the Ministry a week to round up the escaping dementors and return them to Azcaban. Well, again, that is only a rumor. It was not verified or even in the news. Regulus just remembered it to be one of the topic in a dinner tables when he was a child attending dinner parties. However, what Regulus doesn't understand from the man is that why he was not among the figures of Wizarding World. Yes he was friends with Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts Headmaster, Master in Alchemy and other Political affiliations who is very active pulling strings in the Wizarding World, however, Lord Henry Potter never appeared in any wizarding papers. Just a few mentions, yes, but not very notable.
That is why, Regulus, was gritty to win and prove himself.
"Is there any further questions?"Professor Potter question was met with silence. Everyone now readied themselves. Clearly determine to win the prize. Being able to apprentice to a renowned master is after all every students dream after being able to graduate in Hogwarts, even Regulus.
"If none, then, you're five minutes begins." Then the room was lighted with different arrays of colors.
EDIT 10/12
THANK YOU TO ALL NEW FOLLOWERS AND FAVORITES