The New Princess
Hogwarts Year 1 - Arc 2 - Part 1 - Chapter 24
As time goes on...
Previously:
Paralyzed and helpless, Quirrell could only scream in pain and fear as the Youma lifted him into the air by his hair, then, with its other hand on his chest it drained him of his very essence, his life force slipping away from him, sucked out, in a cruel torrent. In those harrowing moments, he felt his magic wane and his consciousness fade, consumed by the relentless darkness closing in around him. Then, one final scream of agony and his sight went dark and he knew no more.
Valda watched pleased, reveling in his final screams, as the final dredges of power left her former minion's now near-lifeless body, leaving only a lifeless shell behind.
"Well done!" she complimented her minion. "Now… you know what to do. Don't fail me," she said as she stepped through the portal and without another backward glance, she let it close behind her. The Youma, now alone in the empty and quiet room, in all its dark alien glory nodded at where the portal had once been then took a look around. No evidence remained of what had just happened.
"As you wish, my Queen," it said with a smirk as it touched Quirrell's lifeless body which then seemed to get sucked into the Youma. Moments later, the alien monster had transformed into a perfect copy of the man. It then sat down at Quirrell's desk, assuming his role, and began to finish the former professor's - now its own - parchment work.
And now the continuation:
It was the start of a brand new day. The first rays of the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, bathing the Hufflepuff dormitory in a warm glow.
Shaking off the shocking effects of her daily dose of the Fulguratio Surgere wake-up spell with only a small gasp, Aryanna reached for her wand on the bedside table. After a slight fumble, nearly knocking her wand to the ground, she cast a time spell and nodded at the result - 6:00 a.m. as expected. It was time to once again rise and shine for the daily morning run. With a spark of determination in her eyes, she sprang from her bed, disregarding the sudden chill from the loss of its warmth with practiced ease.
The routine, now several months old, had become second nature to her, the shocking effects of her wake-up spell included. As much as she disliked getting zapped every morning, it never failed. There was simply no better way to wake up than a quick morning shock to get the blood pumping. It was usually a lot quieter too, involuntary gasps and shrieks -now a lot rarer- excluded.
She glanced over at Susan and sighed. Her friend and second-in-command still refused to use the spell, calling her "nuts" and a "masochist." As a result, Susan needed more time to adjust. Becoming Sailor Venus, with all the responsibilities it entailed, hadn't done much to change her aversion to early mornings. Ignoring Susan's sleepy grumbling and zombie-like movements as she slowly forced herself out of bed and from there into her workout clothes, Aryanna used the extra time to search for the second of the two resident Maus.
She knew Luna was currently busy back home, assisting Pluto with last-minute preparations and acting as a messenger between her and the headmaster. Now that Dumbledore was aware of their extraterrestrial statuses, they would soon resume their patrols to protect people from Youma attacks. However, with Luna absent, only one Mau remained by their side.
"Artemis," Aryanna whispered, gently rousing the white male Mau from his slumber at the foot of Susan's bed. The extraterrestrial cat sleepily opened an eye to regard her with a questioning look.
"Apologies for the early wake-up call, I know you cats love your naps," she whispered, ignoring the answering snort from Susan, "but could you please ensure Hermione joins us for the morning run? Now that she's aware of our true identities...and her own, it's time we include her in our activities...daily morning runs included."
Artemis perked up at Aryanna's request. "Certainly, Princess," he whispered, using her official title and being careful not to wake the other sleeping girls in the dormitory. "I'll ensure she's up and ready. But, I need to ask, do you think this is wise? She hasn't officially joined us yet. We're trying to persuade her to join, not scare her away. In my experience, people, especially children, aren't usually fond of early mornings, least of all early morning exercise. Even less so early wake-ups they may deem unnecessary or tedious. This might be a bit too soon. At least wait until she has officially joined," he advised stretching as only a feline could.
"Oh, I'm sure she will not be happy. Of that, I have no doubt," Aryanna said with a smirk as she pulled off her pajamas, recalling her own early wake-ups when she started her training as Sailor Moon. "But she'll get over it, just like Susan did," she added, glancing at Susan, who was slipping on her shoes and now looking much more awake. "It's necessary. If she is to become one of us full-time in the future, then it's best she gets used to it now. The sooner, the better," she continued, resolute in her decision. 'If she decides otherwise, then... well... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it,' Aryanna thought to herself, hoping 'that' would not be necessary.
Hearing this, Artemis nodded to acknowledge he had understood. "Very well, if you're sure, I'll be on my way." With that, Artemis jumped off Susan's bed and waited just long enough for Aryanna to open the door for him before he left the dorm. He planned to request a Potter elf's assistance to transport him to the Ravenclaw dormitory once he was far enough away not to disturb the other Hufflepuff girls.
Aryanna watched Artemis leave fondly, then finished changing into her sports clothes. She briefly wondered if she was doing the right thing. Artemis had a point. Hermione would not be impressed with her, of that there would be no doubt. But it couldn't be helped. Not if she wanted her to be ready for the Youma. She was the leader. She was responsible for the other Guardians and unless Hermione really intended to ignore the fact that she was Mercury, this would now be her life, for better or worse. Slowly she nodded. Yes, she was doing the right thing. She could not afford to second-guess herself. Not now, not ever. Lives would depend on her choices. This is how it had to be and she would be damned before Hermione was defeated... or worse, died, simply because she was unfit. The faster she accepted it, the better off she would be. Youma didn't care if you were out of breath. If anything, they would love it.
Moments later, in the Ravenclaw Girls Dormitory, three young girls were sleeping peacefully. Suddenly, the serene silence of the morning was abruptly shattered by the near-silent pop of a house elf. The elf, one of the many who served the Potter family, swiftly deposited Artemis on the ground of Hermione's Ravenclaw first-year dormitory. With only three Ravenclaws per room, unlike the norm for the other houses—some Slytherins received private rooms, but the rest slept in dormitories similar to their Gryffindor and Hufflepuff counterparts—the elf had to ensure he found the correct room. Satisfied that its precious cargo was safely delivered in the right place, the elf vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving behind the white Mau to find the correct bed of the princess and Guardian-to-be he was sent to wake.
After a quick survey of the room, Artemis found the correct bed and made his way over to Hermione, who was still deeply asleep. Careful not to make any unnecessary noise that might awaken the other two girls sharing the room, he quickly double-checked to ensure he had indeed picked the right bed. Then, with a leap, he reached her side and, finding her partially exposed ear beneath the bed covers, leaned closer and whispered into it.
"Psst! Hey! Wake up! Hermione!... My lady Mercury! Wake up!"
Unfortunately, his efforts to rouse the girl were unsuccessful. Unaccustomed to early wakeups as she was, Hermione merely grumbled in her sleep and continued to slumber.
Undeterred, as he had expected this reaction, Artemis rolled his eyes. Hermione reminded him a lot of a certain previous princess he once knew. She may not be the reincarnation of the same princess, nor of the same planet, but she too, it seemed, needed an extra invitation to get up. It was ironic that this time, this one happened to be the studious and intelligent one, rather than the lazy sort the previous princess used to be. No matter, he'd simply have to try again, a bit louder this time.
"Hermione, Get up!" he ordered, a tad louder, directly into her exposed ear.
This time, he received a more substantial reaction from the girl. "It's too early, five more minutes, Mum," Hermione muttered in her sleep.
'Yep...just like the previous princess,' Artemis thought bemused. Luckily, he knew how to deal with such a situation. While it used to be Luna's task to wake up 'the girl', he felt he could handle it just as well. All he needed was... 'What was it again? If the first step 'W'... 'Whisper' is unsuccessful, then it's time for stage two; 'A' - 'Annoy' them by pawing at their face or jumping on them repeatedly.'
Plan in place, he began to gently swat at the girl's exposed ear. "Get up, the others are waiting for you!"
That had more of an effect, however, it was still not enough. Still half-asleep, Hermione groaned and instinctively buried her head further into her pillow, seeking to block out the persistent irritation.
Seeing that stage two was also a failure, Artemis sighed. Luna always made it look so simple at times. It seemed he had no choice. More drastic measures were required. He would have to resort to stage three. What was after 'A' again...ah yes...'K'... 'Knead' them with your claws. The time for politeness had passed; now the time for action had come. If this didn't work, then there would only be step four...'E'...for 'Escalate'. Not exactly ideal in the current location, seeing as it was imperative that the other girls did not wake up, but he would figure out something. He had to. He had to make this count. He extended his nails, then lightly began to claw at an exposed leg. Not enough to hurt her...much... but definitely enough for her to feel it. "Wake up! Or else...I'm warning you, I'll fetch a bucket of ice water next!" he growled out, annoyed that his attempts to wake the girl were not working.
Startled by a sudden sharp feeling of a claw massaging her leg, Hermione finally jerked awake. Her eyes snapped open to find Artemis staring right at her.
"Finally!" he exclaimed, a little too loudly. He quickly quietened down when he noticed another first-year jerk awake startled by the commotion, then look their way.
'Oh...crap!'
'Not good!'
"Meow!"
Back in the Hufflepuff dormitory, Aryanna and Susan were now dressed for their morning run. They had just left the dormitory and were heading towards the common room exit. Suddenly, Aryanna thought she heard an echo of a loud cry coming from the direction of the Ravenclaw common room. Halting mid-step, she paused for a second to listen for more, but when nothing else happened, she shrugged it off as a figment of her imagination. Both girls then proceeded to head outside for their morning run.
Unfortunately, as it turned out, Hermione never did join them that day. They did, however, see her enter the Great Hall an hour later.
"Ah, there she is, our sleeping beauty. We missed you for the morning run. What happened? Did you have trouble saying goodbye to your bed?" Aryanna asked Hermione with a grin as she waved her over when she entered the Great Hall. Her grin faltered when Hermione glared at her comment and then proceeded to ignore her, making her way over to the Ravenclaw table. It seemed Hermione was annoyed and had chosen to ignore them.
Aryanna winced. "Looks like you and Artemis were right; the early morning wake-up call may have been a bit too much after all," she said to Susan, who rolled her eyes with an 'I told you so' look on her face.
"Well... I'm sure she will be fine after a bit of breakfast," Aryanna added thoughtfully, her expression turning awkward. She frowned as she studied the newest guardian, noticing her slight difficulty walking and the wince as she favored her left buttock.
Glancing over to the Ravenclaw table again, Aryanna noticed a few Ravenclaws glaring at her. Another Ravenclaw seemed to say something to Hermione just as she arrived at the table. This seemed to upset Hermione, as whatever was said made her face flush slightly, and caused a few other Ravenclaws to laugh. Another girl then said something else, prompting a response from Hermione that caused the other girl's face to redden.
Aryanna scowled as the same Ravenclaw then faked a fumbling movement which caused a mug to tip over and some sort of liquid to flow over the table onto Hermione, who quickly jumped up from her chair.
Annoyed by the evident bullying, Aryanna was on the verge of getting up to intervene when she noticed Hermione, now visibly angry, turning away from her housemates. After composing herself and seemingly disregarding another comment, Hermione began to stride towards the Hufflepuff table.
Observing Hermione's approach, Aryanna and Susan quickly made space for her at their table. Hermione nodded in acknowledgment towards Susan and muttered a short "Thanks" before taking a seat. However, she avoided making eye contact with Aryanna.
Concerned, Aryanna sighed. "Are you okay? What was that about?" she asked, hoping to engage her friend in conversation and offer support, eager to help her friend and get her to open up.
Hermione remained silent, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge Aryanna's attempt to communicate. But Aryanna wasn't about to accept being ignored. Determined to address the issue, she decided to confront it head-on.
"Okay, listen... It's obvious something happened this morning to put you in a bad mood, and judging from the fact that you are ignoring me, I'm obviously the problem. So how about you stop sulking and tell me what's wrong so I can apologize to you and make it right," she said firmly, meeting Hermione's gaze head-on.
Still, Hermione ignored her.
"Look, I'm sorry about Artemis waking you. I thought you..."
"It's not that," Hermione interrupted.
Aryanna paused, taken aback. "It's not?"
"I'm not mad at you for the morning run. I get it's necessary, even if I dislike it," Hermione replied, finally looking at Aryanna.
Perplexed, Aryanna asked, "Then why...?"
"I'm mad about how you went about it," Hermione said, her tone softening.
Confused, Aryanna asked, "What do you mean? How?"
Seeing the confusion in her friend's eyes, Hermione frowned and then sighed wearily. "Seriously Arya... think, will you? Artemis is a cat, Arya. A cat!" Hermione said, her voice rising in volume as she spoke before quickly quietening down again when she noticed people were beginning to take notice.
"I..." Aryanna faltered, still puzzled.
"Did it not occur to you for even a second to warn me about Artemis first before sending him to wake me up?" she asked a lot quieter, suddenly no longer looking as if she was angry, just annoyed.
'Why would I need to?' Aryanna said, still looking confused.
Suddenly, Susan realized the oversight. "Oh no! We forgot," she muttered.
"What? What did we forget?" Aryanna asked, noticing Susan's change in demeanor.
Hermione was not finished. "Because of this, the whole dormitory woke up an hour early and I now have the welts of numerous stinging hexes across my behind from two angry sleep-deprived dorm mates to prove it," Hermione snarked angrily.
Susan winced sympathetically while Aryanna, still not understanding, grew more frustrated. "Forgot what?"
Susan mumbled through her hands, "We forgot to tell her how special Artemis is... and what he is capable of doing." Hermione nodded as she reached out to grab a fresh cup of coffee.
"So?...
Aryanna's realization dawned slowly. "Oh!"
"Exactly," Hermione confirmed, buttering a scone.
"Ah," Aryanna added.
"Yup," Hermione nodded, spreading jam. "So forgive me for being short-tempered. I'm in pain and have every right to be annoyed."
"I'm so stupid," Aryanna groaned. "So, so stupid!"
"I'm glad you agree," Hermione said as she added jam to the same scone.
"Oh, Herms...I'm so sorry!" Aryanna added a few seconds later, looking properly chastised.
"I know... and apology accepted," Hermione responded with a smile, no longer angry. "Maybe next time you will think first before you leap... just an idea," she added before she took a bite of the scone.
Aryanna groaned again and could only agree. She really had messed up this time.
She had completely forgotten to tell her that Artemis could speak or that he was a Mau. To Hermione, until that moment, he had been a normal house cat. She had no idea of his extra-terrestrial origins or indeed abilities. No wonder she was so upset. She must have been completely taken by surprise.
Even in the magical world where extraordinary things were common, talking cats were still a rarity, at best. Worse, Hermione was from a Muggle background. Waking up to a talking cat without warning, especially one scratching her... well, she was lucky they were currently at school. Anywhere else, it would probably have just breached the Statute of Secrecy.
No wonder she was so pissed!
Suddenly she froze.
Wait!...
'Oh no!'
"Um...Hermione... did your dorm mates...find out...anything?" she asked nervously, hesitatingly. 'Please say no!' she thought, nearly begging in her mind.
The last thing she wanted right now was to have to explain to Setsuna that she had broken their secret during her first week at Hogwarts and that she now had to obliviate half the school.
"No...but it was close. Very Close! Luckily Artemis is a good actor. They still think he is just a cat."
"So we're are ok? The secret is..."
"Still safe?"
"Yes!"
'Oh, thank the moon!'
The remainder of breakfast passed uneventfully, and soon the trio of two Hufflepuffs and one Ravenclaw resumed their usual merry and laughing demeanor.
As students from all houses filtered in to prepare for the day ahead, many were surprised to find the two Hufflepuffs still present, even more so that both were calm and laughing. Confusion and speculation swirled among the students of the other houses. Many were expecting serious consequences for at least Susan due to the events of the Potions class, which had left Aryanna and Professor Snape injured and in the hospital wing.
Curiosity from students of all houses soon prompted inquiries, but Aryanna and Susan remained silent whenever approached. Their response was always the same: "Wait for Dumbledore," as they had been instructed to stay silent until his arrival.
It took a few minutes, but eventually, the conversation at the table returned to an earlier topic.
"So, I hate to bring it up, especially after what happened this morning, but..." Aryanna began.
"I'll do it!" Hermione interjected.
"Oh?" Aryanna responded, eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Okay... er... Do what?" she asked, eager for clarification.
"Join you, of course," Hermione clarified with a warm smile.
"Okay," Aryanna replied, pleasantly surprised. That sounded promising... but... she couldn't help but wonder what Hermione meant exactly. Did she intend to join them for the next morning run, or was she expressing interest in officially becoming Mercury? Aryanna waited for Hermione to elaborate, but when no further explanation was forthcoming, she was about to inquire further. However, before she could do so, they were abruptly interrupted.
"So...Potty, Bones...enjoying your last meal at Hogwarts? I did warn you not to mess with the wrong sort," came an unwelcome voice.
As the snobbish male voice pierced the air, Aryanna and Susan tensed, recognizing the speaker instantly. Aryanna sighed quietly, exchanging a brief glance with Susan. She would have to find out what Hermione meant later; for now, she had a ferret to fry.
"Why, whatever do you mean, Heir Malfoy?" she asked in a mockingly innocent tone.
Draco's lips curled into a smirk as he approached, accompanied by his lackeys Crabbe and Goyle. "Oh, spare us the theatrics, Potter. We're all privy to your escapades in Potions class. The entire school is anxiously buzzing with it." Turning to Susan, he sneered, "So, savoring your last meal before your trip home? I can only imagine what your aunt will do once she finds out. She must be so disappointed in you," he said nastily, savoring the moment.
Aryanna and Susan shared a knowing glance, silently communicating their understanding. Meanwhile, Hermione observed with curiosity, intrigued by how her two friends would handle the arrogant boy. Despite Draco's attempt to provoke them, Aryanna remained unruffled, her tone composed as she responded, "Far from it. Allow me to enlighten you, Heir Malfoy. You've been misinformed," she began with a merry tone. Susan added a witty remark, "Wouldn't be the first time," which earned a smile from Hermione, who tried to suppress a giggle. Aryanna smoothly continued, "Neither of us is in any danger of leaving Hogwarts, contrary to your belief. Personally, I look forward to spending the next seven years here, excelling academically and surpassing you in every way," she stated confidently, relishing Draco's increasing frustration and surprise.
Draco's smirk wavered, replaced by a hint of irritation. "Don't pretend innocence with me, Potter. There's no way at least one of you," he gestured towards Susan, "won't be expelled for assaulting my Godf... Professor Snape. You can't escape consequences for that!"
Susan met Draco's gaze evenly, enjoying the boy's irritation. "I'm well aware of my actions, Heir Malfoy. But assumptions aren't truths; they're feeble attempts by a spoiled brat to deflect from their own shortcomings. Rest assured, I've already faced appropriate consequences for my actions, but expulsion isn't one of them. Not now, not ever!"
At Susan's response, Draco's face flushed red with anger. Frustration bubbled beneath the surface as he leaned in closer, his voice lowering. "I don't know how you managed to squirm your way out of this but mark my words, you'll pay. When my father hears—"
Aryanna's expression remained composed as she interrupted him. "Yes, yes, by all means, run to Daddy dearest. It's what you do best," she jabbed, her tone carrying a hint of disinterest. Susan chimed in, "Always have." "And always will," Hermione added with a chirp. Aryanna continued, "Always running to Daddy when things don't go your way." "Grow up!" Susan interjected. Aryanna pressed on, "If anything, it's Snape who should be sent packing... he was the one out of line. But I suppose neither of us is getting what we want today. Now, if you'll excuse us, why don't you scuttle off to your corner and nurse your wounded pride? We have more pressing matters to attend to than the insecurities of a spoiled young boy, like Professor Dumbledore's arrival," she said dismissing the boy.
With that, Aryanna and Susan turned away, leaving Draco alone to seethe with indignation. Watching him storm off, Aryanna couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction at their ability to maintain their cool in the face of Draco's taunts. It wasn't easy; sometimes she wanted nothing more than to give him a piece of her mind... and a good punch to the face. However, she knew that maintaining composure would unnerve him more... and more importantly would avoid unnecessary punishment. At least she found solace in that realization. For now, words would have to suffice.
In the next few moments, all eyes turned towards the front of the Great Hall, where Albus Dumbledore had ascended the main podium. He stood tall, his gaze sweeping across the room as he prepared to address the students.
"Students... If I could have your attention, please," he began, his voice resonating throughout the hall. Once the chatter had subsided, he continued.
"Now, I know you are all eager to get to your morning classes, so I promise this won't take long. But by now, I'm sure you've all heard about the... incident involving two of your peers and Professor Snape earlier today," he said, prompting nods and murmurs of agreement to ripple through the hall. Dumbledore paused, allowing anticipation to build before speaking again.
"It is with regret that I must announce that... due to circumstances beyond his control, the rumors are true, and Professor Snape will be absent for the next few months."
Excited whispers started to fill the hall, prompting Dumbledore to raise his hand for silence before continuing.
"But fear not, Professor Snape will return soon, and I am pleased to inform you that your potions education will continue uninterrupted. I have just received confirmation that a substitute professor will be joining us by tomorrow morning."
The whispers quieted, though a low hum of conversation persisted. Dumbledore pressed on.
"During the incident, Professor Snape and Miss Potter sustained injuries. While Miss Potter is unharmed and present among us," he said, nodding towards Aryanna who gave a quick nod back, "Professor Snape's injuries were more severe and will require extended rehabilitation at St Mungo's."
Suddenly, cheers erupted from a significant portion of the hall, prompting some professors to glare around the room with varying levels of enthusiasm. Dumbledore's expression shifted to one of shock, sadness, and finally disappointment. 'What does it say about a school when three-quarters of the students celebrate a professor's injury?' he wondered, dismayed by the response. Had he truly failed so badly in his duties? It seemed he had.
"SILENCE!" he thundered, bringing the hall back to order. Seeing that he had regained their attention, he reiterated firmly, "Let me make myself clear: It. Was. Not. Professor Snape's fault!" However, he could see skepticism lingering among some students. To add insult to injury, even a few Slytherins seemed unconvinced and happy that their head of house was gone, though they worked to conceal their thoughts.
Undaunted, Dumbledore continued, "Yes, what he did was unwarranted and should never have happened. I don't refute that. But he was being controlled by a dangerous magical entity and had no control over his actions." Here, he looked directly at Aryanna before continuing.
"Miss Potter, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, I most sincerely apologize for the unwarranted caning you received at the hands of Professor Snape, or rather the one who was controlling him at the time. The treatment you received was not only excessive but also disregarded the rules of this school. I pledge to do everything in my power to ensure that such an incident will not happen again and humbly ask that you find it within yourself to forgive and, in time, forget Professor Snape for his actions. I'm sure if he were here, he would agree that this will never happen again."
Aryanna nodded and spoke up, "Apology accepted, Headmaster! As you said, I'm sure Professor Snape is deeply distraught over his actions and will do everything in his power to improve himself in the future and ensure such a thing never happens again." What else could she say without looking too much like a spoiled brat? Already she was pushing it. Snape, for all his many faults and his hatred towards her and her deceased father, had not been in full control of himself. As much as she hated to admit it, there was no denying that crucial fact. This was therefore the best she could hope for.
Dumbledore nodded gratefully and smiled at her before he turned back to face the rest of the hall, ignoring the many grumbles and sounds of discontent that had sprung up upon hearing Aryanna's agreement. Many students seemed unsatisfied, some didn't seem to believe him, while others were simply annoyed that Snape would not be punished. Most, however, seemed content, and that would have to be enough for the moment.
"For those of you who are still confused or unclear about what happened, it has come to light that Professor Snape was not in control of himself during his actions this morning but was under the control of a magical entity known as a wraith. Wraiths are rare and highly dangerous magical entities born or created from the evil desires of another. Wraiths possess others to do their bidding, similar to the Imperius Curse. They have all the knowledge of their unwilling hosts and so were able to remain hidden until now. Because of this, Professor Snape was not in control of himself when he punished Miss Potter."
Murmurs and cries of disbelief, some outrage, and looks of sympathy towards Aryanna filled the hall. Thinking this was the perfect time to continue, Dumbledore did so.
"As I said, I will personally ensure that what happened today will never happen again while I'm Headmaster. As such," he paused to make sure he still had everyone's attention before continuing in a grave tone, "from today on, any excessive point losses will be reviewed at the end of each week. Unwarranted point losses will be altered or even rescinded."
Excitement rippled through the hall, and some students cheered.
"Any form of physical punishment will be postponed until the end of each day. At that point, the infraction or infractions will first be reviewed by another professor. Only then, if deemed necessary, will the student be issued a summoning and the punishment commence. In the case of inter-house disputes, another professor of a neutral house will also be obligated to be present as a witness. Finally, if desired by the student, a member of their gender can perform the punishment."
Nods and happy sounds of agreement erupted throughout the hall. The professors also looked pleased with the new ruling, and many students looked relieved. Aryanna sat back, satisfied. 'This should have happened a long time ago,' she thought, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. This alone had made her earlier caning worthwhile.
Happy with the attitude and joy of the majority of the students, Dumbledore went on.
"This also behooves me to remedy an error that was made today. Because of the wraith's actions, it is with pleasure that I rescind the point losses received by Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff during the Potions class."
Almost instantly, a loud chime was heard from the direction of the point hourglasses. A student near the entrance exclaimed, "The hourglasses are filling up! All of our points are back!" Her voice filled with joy, much to the delight of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws and the dismay of the other houses. Until that moment, Hufflepuff had been significantly trailing in fourth place in the house points race, seemingly with no chance of competing, least of all winning the house cup. However, with all the points lost due to Snape's earlier outburst miraculously restored, they now found themselves back in contention, closely biting at the heels of Slytherin, who were currently in first place.
"Rest assured, I will be reviewing the remaining point losses, and any other unwarranted point losses from all houses will also be re-evaluated, as will any unwarranted point gains," Dumbledore continued. Almost instantly, Gryffindor, who had been fairly quiet until that moment, began to cheer. Slytherin house, however, began to look nervous. Many of the Slytherins had been relying heavily on their head of house's favoritism and the punishments he frequently handed out to the other houses to stay in the lead. With Professor Snape now absent and his ability to unfairly give and take points effectively neutered, they realized they would now have to actually work for their points. This was not good for their house. If anything, it was potentially devastating. Snape had given many extra points for trivial things like passing ingredients and attending class... in some cases, even just for breathing. There was now a high chance that at least some of those points could soon disappear. At the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, students broke out in excited whispering, eyeing the Slytherin table eagerly. Some even had predatory looks on their faces. They were all very aware that this could catapult them into the lead. Finally, their hard work ethic and knowledge would pay off, whereas the Slytherins' bullying and cheating ways would be punished.
Unknown to the Slytherins, it was about to get even worse. Pleased with the favorable attitude of the majority of the students toward his latest ruling, Dumbledore was not yet finished. Regaining the students' attention, he continued.
"Lastly," he began, his voice growing somber once more, "with great regret, it has come to my attention that I may have been neglecting my duties as of late," he said in a heavy voice.
Gasps of surprise filled the room. Even the professors looked at him in stunned surprise and, in some cases, horror. 'This... was unexpected! It's not every day that the 'leader of the light' admits he's wrong,' Aryanna thought, her eyebrow arching in surprise. 'Were pigs starting to fly?' she wondered, chancing a brief look around the hall and out the windows. 'Without the aid of magic, naturally,' she amended. Seeing none, she turned her attention back toward the headmaster.
"Along with the blatant favoritism and the pointless harassing of students - all of which stop now - it has come to my attention that some of the subjects at Hogwarts may have been incorrectly taught, leading to a decrease in professionally and adequately trained personnel, especially in the Auror and Medical professions."
Quite a few professors frowned at these words while others nodded and looked down in shame and regret. Nobody was surprised to hear of the lack of passing grades in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Snape was well known for being extremely harsh and only passing a select few each year, usually only Slytherins. Additionally, it was difficult to maintain an adequate level in Defense Against the Dark Arts with a different professor every year. This ultimately resulted in fewer students being qualified for high-level positions, like Aurors or Healers, after graduation. Recently, the number of qualified apprentices and trainees had reached an all-time low.
"In the upcoming weeks, I will be reviewing all of the subjects taught at Hogwarts, at which point I will decide whether each merely needs reform or maybe even be canceled completely. Other, lost classes, may even be reinserted."
Hearing this, the hall gasped once again and then fell into stunned silence. Some of the professors looked up in alarm, fearing for their jobs. However, not everybody was alarmed. Some looked intrigued, others happy. At the head table, Minerva McGonagall glanced towards the empty stool of the Divination professor and smiled. 'Sibyl Trelawney is probably deep in her sherry bottles again,' Minerva thought with a hint of satisfaction. 'The prospect of Divination disappearing is not entirely unwelcome.' She had never liked that subject, thinking it too imprecise and woolly.
"Rest assured, any professor who has been teaching their subjects correctly has nothing to fear. Additionally, any of you who I feel require adjustments will be given every opportunity, assistance, and time to improve. If you feel change is needed, or if you require new materials or support, please let me know and I'll see what can be done to accommodate you. Nobody will be let go... as long as they show improvement and the desire to do so."
Hearing this, many of the professors nodded gratefully and calmed down, although some still looked worried while others appeared skeptical.
As if sensing their skepticism, Dumbledore continued. "It has also come to my attention that some professors may have been forced to adhere to certain Ministry decorum and expectations. Some of these expectations are outdated or unfair to modern standards, and we will work together to adjust the course or work around any restrictions in order to comply to an acceptable level favorable to all. Nobody will ever be let go, or indeed have to fear failure - professor or student alike - due to the well-meaning inflexibility of the Ministry. You have my word on that as long as I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts. We WILL find a way!"
Hearing this, the remaining professors calmed down.
The students looked on in confusion and interest, wondering what he was talking about, but knew better than to interrupt him.
"To achieve this, from now on, professors will be required to adhere to the professional teaching standards expected of all Hogwarts professors as outlined by the Hogwarts charter. This is non-negotiable. No matter your reasoning in the past, it stops now! Anybody who has questions, professors or students alike, can make an appointment and see me at an appropriate time, whereupon I will be happy to answer any questions you may have."
"I believe we can all make this work if we work together. For too long, we have remained locked in the past. The time for change is now!"
With those final words, Dumbledore sat down again, leaving the hall to erupt into frantic discussions.
The rest of breakfast concluded swiftly, and soon the students began to filter out of the Great Hall. Aryanna, unable to delve further into Hermione's cryptic response, decided to approach her later. For now, however, she had different, and far more pressing worries. She had her first Transfiguration class and after that her first DADA class to look forward to.
Her mind buzzed with excitement and anticipation as Aryanna quickly rushed down to the Hufflepuff common room to collect her bag, which held her books for the day. She had prepared it the evening before, ensuring she was fully equipped for the day ahead. That done, she met up with Susan and Hannah, and together they made their way to the Transfiguration classroom. Due to Dumbledore's speech, they were running a bit late, but luckily, with the help of their trusty maps, they quickly found their way.
Joining up with Hermione and other latecomers along the way, they found the classroom, and a brief knock later, they walked in. "Oh good, Professor McGonagall does not seem to be here yet," she heard Hannah say as they quickly sat down at a few seats.
"She is probably running late herself today. Dumbledore's speech did delay us," Aryanna replied as she took out her Transfiguration books and placed them on the table.
"Yeah, you're right...that's probably it," Hannah answered, mollified by the other girl's reasoning.
Susan, however, shook her head. "Actually...I think she's here at this very moment," she said, looking at a familiar tabby cat, which seemed to be staring at them.
"What? Ah!... Yes, yes, you're right. She does have the identification markers as well. So it's definitely her," Aryanna answered in realization after a few seconds of studying the cat having followed Susan's line of sight. She had heard that McGonagall was an Animagus. Someone who could turn into an animal at will. It was no secret that the professor's animal form just happened to be that of a cat.
"What? Where...I can't see her!" Hannah said as she searched the room, unsuccessfully.
Hermione, who had her nose in a book, replied. "Try the cat!"
Frowning, Hannah glanced at the only cat in the room. It was at that moment that said cat jumped off the pillow of the chair it had been sitting on and, in one swift movement, turned into a human. Their Transfiguration professor, to be exact.
"Well done... ten points each to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw! What gave me away?" she asked, a pleased, proud glint in her eyes.
"You mean...besides the fact that we heard about you being an Animagus and anybody can read up about your form in official Ministry files?" Aryanna asked somewhat cheekily. Before McGonagall could respond, she added, "There is also the fact that I have a cat of my own so I know how they act. No cat would sit so stiffly, especially on a soft silk pillow," causing a few laughs from around the room and Hermione to softly roll her eyes. "But if you are looking for a more transfiguration-ish answer," Aryanna continued, "then there is also the fact that your cat form has a clear and rather unique identification marker around your eyes where your glasses usually sit, in the form of a discoloration."
"I wouldn't dare to assume...but you might also have a craving for milk...or catnip," she added cheekily once again, a second later, a statement which caused the room to laugh again once more and Professor McGonagall to blush.
McGonagall tried to ignore the comment, "Indeed you shouldn't... well done. Take another ten points... it would be twenty, but your cheek just cost you ten points," she said as she unsuccessfully hid her forming blush. Aryanna, for her part, took her loss of points with grace and gave her a nod.
"Nevertheless Miss Potter is correct. Two ways to identify an Animagus, besides looking them up in ministry files as Miss Potter so correctly stated is to look for personal identifiers. Identifiers not normally found on a typical everyday cat. As Miss Potter correctly deduced, my markers are a different shade of fur around my eyes where my glasses would normally sit when in human form...the second is a potential change of mannerism... perhaps a different liking towards a particular food, or better eyesight in the case of a bird, or a desire to swim more if your form is that of a fish, or perhaps an ability to hear better. You will find that some abilities of your animal form will transfer over to your human form."
She paused as whispers of awe and intrigue swept through the classroom. Deeming that she had effectively captured her class's interest and that the time to officially commence the class was right, McGonagall motioned towards a blackboard at the top of the room which promptly began to fill with facts and diagrams. It was adorned with numerous formulas and the names of various spells, which Aryanna anticipated they would soon be learning. Stepping up to the blackboard, McGonagall turned back to face her students.
"Welcome to your first lesson in Transfiguration. For those of you who do not know, I am Minerva McGonagall, and I will be your Transfiguration professor for your educational duration here at Hogwarts.
Transfiguration is not merely about changing one form into another; it delves into the very essence of magic, the delicate balance of nature, and the profound respect we must hold for the world around us. It transcends mere spells; it requires an understanding of the intricate interplay between intention and execution. While you will have the opportunity to explore Animagus transformations in your NEWT years, for now, our focus will be on mastering the foundational principles of Transfiguration. In this class, you will learn to unlock the latent potential of objects and learn how to change each into new forms and functions. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Transfiguration is among the most complex and potent forms of magic taught at Hogwarts," she emphasized her words by turning a nearby chair into a pig further amazing the class. "The magic you wield has the power to shape reality itself, but it must be wielded with care, precision, and reverence."
She paused, scanning the room with her piercing gaze, ensuring that her words resonated with each student while also searching for potential troublemakers. Finding none, she continued.
"I expect each of you to approach this subject with the gravity it warrants. Foolishness and irreverence have no place in this classroom. Here, you are not merely students; you are practitioners of a venerable and sacred art as old as the magical world itself. I have no doubt that each of you possesses the potential to excel in Transfiguration, but potential alone is not enough. It must be coupled with dedication, discipline, and a genuine thirst for knowledge. I expect nothing less than your unwavering commitment and utmost effort in every class. Those who fail to uphold the standards of this classroom will find themselves swiftly removed and not allowed back. You have been duly warned," she declared, her voice carrying the weight of strict authority.
"Now, let us embark upon our journey into the mystical realm of Transfiguration. Open your textbooks to page one, 'The Fundamentals of Transfiguration,' and let us begin," she announced, signaling the commencement of their lesson.
The class proceeded smoothly, with McGonagall meticulously guiding her students through the rudiments of Transfiguration. She expounded upon the nuances of spellcasting, elucidating the distinctions between Transfiguration, charms, and curses, and provided further practical examples to illustrate her points. Her teaching style was both rigorous and engaging, demanding the full attention and participation of her pupils.
"Miss Edgecombe," she suddenly called out as she noticed the girl was no longer paying attention. "I wonder...can you please tell me the incantation to turn a matchstick into a needle?"
Taken aback by the sudden question, the girl froze as she frantically tried to think of a possible answer.
Unfortunately, she seemed to take too long to answer.
"Can anybody tell me the answer?" McGonagall asked next.
Immediately, the hands of three-quarters of the class rose into the air.
"Mr...Entwhistle, is it?" she asked a Ravenclaw boy nearby.
"Yes Ma'am Kevin Entwhistle ... and the answer is Tessera ad acus."
Hearing the boys answer, McGonagall nodded. "Correct, take ten points for Ravenclaw for your correct answer... Miss Edgecombe, if you paid more attention during my lecture you would have known this, as I mentioned it during one of my demonstrations at the start of the class. Minus five points from Ravenclaw. I expect my students to pay attention when I'm talking," she said, frowning at the other girl who looked down chastised. Kevin, meanwhile, nodded thankfully, pleased that he had just earned his house five more points.
"Well then, who can tell me ten principles to consider when attempting transfiguration?" McGonagall asked, turning her attention back to the rest of the class.
Once again, numerous hands rose into the air, including those of the quartet.
"Miss Abbot...give me two principles," she said, motioning for Hannah to answer.
"Visualization is Key. Clearly picture the image of the item you are trying to create in your mind before attempting the Transfiguration. A vivid mental image helps to focus your intent and guide the transformation process," Hannah began to say. Hearing the answer, McGonagall gave her a smile and motioned her to continue.
"Size Matters. Transfiguring into a smaller item is generally easier than transforming into a larger item as manipulating smaller volumes of matter requires less control."
Another nod from McGonagall.
"Also, a similar size means a smoother Transition. Transfiguring an item of similar size to the original object is even easier, as it involves less drastic changes to the object's mass, shape, and structure."
"Excellent answers, Ms. Abbot, take 15 points for Hufflepuff for your detailed answers.
"Miss Turpin, please give me two more.
Startled by being suddenly put on the spot, the girl froze for a second and then answered.
"Er...The color of the object being transfigured doesn't matter?"
"Incorrect, it matters a lot because the color of an object can affect the difficulty of transfiguration. Items of a particular color are easier to transfigure into an item of the same color as they help improve the visualization of the transformation of one object into another. Objects with vibrant or complex colors may require more precise magical manipulation to maintain or alter their color during transformation. Please try again." McGonagall interrupted.
Blushing the girl tried again.
"Er...the complexity of the transfiguration matters. Objects with difficult shapes may make a transfiguration more difficult," the girl answered next.
This time McGonagall nodded her head. "Correct. Complexity Adds Difficulty. Objects with complex shapes, structures, or magical properties may present greater challenges for Transfiguration. Keep this in mind when selecting objects for transformation. Do you have another?" she asked, giving the girl a motivational smile.
"Putting more power into a Transfiguration spell makes it easier to achieve the desired transformation."
Hearing the answer, McGonagall smirked but shook her head. "Alas, a common answer...but incorrect. It may surprise you, but while it might seem logical that increasing the power behind a spell would make it easier to achieve the desired effect, Transfiguration magic is highly dependent on precision, control, and finesse rather than raw power. In fact, overexerting magical energy can lead to unintended consequences, such as incomplete or unstable transformations...and even small explosions if the transfiguration is overloaded. Therefore, it's important for witches and wizards to focus on mastering the precise application of magic rather than simply increasing its intensity. Also, always remember, that transfigurations are not permanent. They will revert back after a set amount of time.
At this point, McGonagall turned to face the whole class. "Please keep this in mind when attempting a transfiguration. Power means nothing in this class. Here control, focus, visualization, determination, and finesse are key. Five points to Ravenclaw," she said to the girl before moving on to the next person.
At this moment Susan raised her hand and waited patiently for McGonagall to acknowledge her.
"But if this is true, then how do you increase the life of a transfiguration?" she asked confused.
McGonagall smiled. "An excellent question Miss Bones!" she replied happily. "The answer is...you don't!" She smirked as the class looked at her in disbelief. "While we can usually expect a transfiguration to at least last a few hours, as a general rule, the less advanced or complicated the transfiguration is the longer the transfiguration will last. For instance, items of the same size, like a matchstick into a needle would last longer - sometimes up to several weeks or more, while others - for example a mouse into an elephant - might only last for an hour, maybe even less, depending on the size and differences. Of course, that's not to say that there are no ways to prolong the lifespan of transfigured objects, there are, but those are more in the field of Alchemy or Enchanting rather than Transfiguration, a different area of magic and not thought in this class. Here we only deal with changing one object into another, not prolonging it." she explained. The class looked impressed with her answer.
"Now then, does anybody else want to attempt to answer?" she asked the class once more after a few more seconds had passed.
Immediately before anybody else could react, Aryanna and Hermione raised their hands, followed shortly after by a few others.
McGonagall smiled. "Miss Potter and Miss... Granger was it?" she asked, looking towards Hermione who nodded. "Yes Ma'am, Hermione Granger," she answered.
"Three each, Miss Potter, you may go first."
Taking a small breath Aryanna began to answer.
"Considering the Word Length and Structure of the object is important" Aryanna began to say. "Objects with similar word lengths and build-up can be easier to transfigure into one another. For example, take the words pillow and kitten as an example. Transfiguring a Pillow into a kitten may be easier than let's say a stone into a carriage because both Pillow and Kitten have the same number of letters, consonants, and vowels, and even share similar letter patterns while the stone and carriage do not. Transfiguring a smaller worded object into a larger one or vice versa would also be far more difficult as the length of the words of the objects are of a different size...
The class continued in this fashion for the rest of the lesson with both houses competing to gain the most points and before long the first transfiguration class was over.
"...Finally, Patience and Persistence are important. Transfiguration requires patience and persistence. Don't be discouraged by initial failures or setbacks—Transfiguration is a difficult subject and not for everybody. Always remember those of you with low control and large amounts of magic may struggle while those of you with low magic but high control will find this an easier subject to master. Keep practicing and refining your skills over time. And with that my task for the day is done," McGonagall said with a smile as she heard the bell ring.
"Excellent answers all of you. Keep this up and I may have you teaching the class for me. Take another twenty points each to both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff," she said happily. Turning to face the rest of the class who were already packing up their books one last time McGonagall quickly added. "Each of you has demonstrated commendable dedication and aptitude today. Remember, Transfiguration is not a subject to be taken lightly; it demands perseverance, precision, and patience. I have every confidence that with continued effort and application, you will all master this venerable art. For homework, I want a ten-inch essay on the principles of Transfiguration, to be handed in by the next class. If you have been listening for the past hour then you should have no problems with it. I also want you all to read ahead on the Transfiguration Matchstick into a Beetle as you will be attempting the transfiguration in the next class. "
With those final words, she concluded the lesson, dismissing the students with a nod of satisfaction.
Aryanna stepped out of the class a few seconds later with a spring in her step. The cloud of disillusionment that had hung over her since the potions class and her altercation with Snape seemed to have lifted. Dumbledore's speech and the enlightening Transfiguration class had done a lot to restore her faith in Hogwarts.
However, as she moved through the corridor, her timetable caught her eye. Defence Against the Dark Arts awaited her next. Despite her freshly buoyed mood, a twinge of apprehension crept into her thoughts. Whispers among older students had painted a foreboding picture of this class.
The older years spoke of an unstable teacher position that had persisted for the past twenty years. Rumors of a curse circulated, and 'Hogwarts: A History' had done nothing to dispel them. According to the book, the past two decades had seen a revolving door of professors—some eager, some apprehensive—all of whom had departed, in one way or another, before the year's end. No professor had lasted longer than a single year since the 1960s. Their tenures were as fleeting as wisps of smoke. The so-called curse devoured their resolve, leaving behind only whispers of disappointment and unfulfilled promises.
Year after year, the cycle repeated itself relentlessly. The students had long since grown accustomed to the ever-changing faces, their expectations tempered by bitter experiences. They were doomed to adapt to a new professor every year, some competent, some inept, others merely trying to survive. If rumours were true then some students had even started a secret betting pool...betting on how the newest teacher would leave at the end of the year. Life-changing injuries, premature resignations...even Deaths...were not uncommon.
Aryanna sighed softly to herself. Defense against the Dark Arts was imminent. She would soon discover for herself how much truth lay in the tales. She steeled herself, preparing for the worst, yet hoping for the best. Who knows, she pondered optimistically, Perhaps she could unravel the mystery and break the curse?
At least so far... 'the curse' only seemed to affect the professors, never the students.
That, at least she thought, gave her a glimmer of hope.