Lisa slipped into a seat at breakfast, pulling her plate closer. "Looks like the headmaster returned."
Sue looked thoughtful before grabbing the pumpkin juice. "Also, it seems rumors were true: The Auror at the staff table must be our new Defense Professor."
Anthony, who sat across from them, leaned forward. "I overheard some of the older years saying she's on leave because of pregnancy or something. Oh, Morgaine, did you get in trouble for whatever you did to our History Professor?"
After spreading clotted cream and jam on a scone, the former Queen replied, "Not at all. There is nothing really to get in trouble for, as I only asked a question."
"Well, I'm glad you did. It was a pretty interesting class, wasn't it? I bet he listened because you're related to Rowena Ravenclaw," beamed Padma.
"That's a given," Lisa grinned.
Morgaine looked up at the staff table, catching the eye of Madam Pomfrey, who gave her a smile. She wasn't one hundred percent sure that anything would come of contacting Healer Eloise. Not having seen any of Snape's potions, all she knew of him was his reputation, but everyone said he was a poor teacher. She couldn't help but agree.
"Cor, look at this: some duffer tried to rob Gringotts. Got his comeuppance, though," Terry said, slapping down the Daily Prophet, which had been delivered not too long after they began eating.
"Disgusting, they put his head on a pike," Mandy pushed the paper away.
"Hey, isn't Professor Quirrell the name of our Defense Professor?" Terry turned to his fellow Ravenclaws.
"Yes," Morgaine replied. "May I?"
"Sure."
Picking the Daily Prophet up, she quickly read the article, noticing that the newspaper had left a few things out or was most likely not informed.
With a shrug, she returned it. "No surprise, Goblin clans have always dealt with thieves harshly."
"Won't the Ministry be upset that they executed a Wizard?" Mandy asked.
"No, according to the article, the vault's wards were what took care of him,"
"Man was an idiot," Morag commented, taking one last bit of a scone before scooping up her books. "Come on, Penny's waiting, or we will be late for Transfiguration."
"Did the Prophet say anything about the Girl Who Lived?" Lisa asked, catching up.
"Oh, that's right. There was something on the second page about her being homeschooled. I'll let you read it after class," Terry said.
"Homeschooled?" Padma raised an eyebrow.
"Don't ask me; I just read it in an article. Maybe the Headmaster will say something."
"About what?" Susan Bones questioned as the Hufflepuff first years joined the group.
"Girl Who Lived."
"Oh, I asked my Auntie, but she wouldn't tell me anything."
"Potter should be allowed to go to Hogwarts with us," Hannah complained, overhearing, to which everyone agreed.
Morgaine had always been interested in Transfiguration. From what she had read, the theory behind it had not changed too much from when she was first taught. Even Animagus's core roots were the same, coming from the ancient priests and priestesses who shapeshifted into spirit animals, although it was barely acknowledged.
Interestingly, they found a cat sitting on the Professor's desk as they entered the classroom. Quickly taking their seats, both houses started to speak to one another quietly. Morgaine didn't say anything, aware that the cat was actually their Professor and most likely also enjoyed everyone being surprised. And she, too, was amused as the room jumped when the feline turned into the Transfiguration Professor.
A little later in class, after a short lecture on the dangers of the subject, some threats of expulsion, and a display of advanced Transfiguration, the class set to turn a matchstick into a needle. Morgaine thought that the Professor would assign something else. Did everyone know what a needle looked like in this day and age? Had they held one, look at how it was made. Looking back, she didn't think Rose had ever seen one.
Now, the Professor walked through the steps turning a matchstick into a needle several times, but seeing the result across the room was difficult. Well, those who haven't will see enough examples today.
"Now that's pretty," Lisa said, looking down at Morgaine's bronze needle, which had earned five points for their house.
"Thanks," she leaned over and said, "Don't force it. Close your eyes and picture how a needle looks and feels to the touch; remember the color and the details you want to add. Once you have that firmly in your mind, cast the spell. But above all, you need to believe that you can do it. Otherwise, let your magic do the heavy lifting."
After the third try, Lisa got a nice-looking needle, although it wasn't very pointy. "Good job, now do it again. Like many things, Transfiguration gets better with practice."
"Miss Rheged, that was a well-thought-out explanation. Another five points for helping your classmates as well."
"Thank you, Professor."
Secretly, Professor McGonagall was thrilled. It was not unusual for Ravenclaws not to want to help others in their own year. It was expected of the Hufflepuffs, who could be seen with their heads together, but it was nice to see the new first-year Ravens were now all supporting one another.
After the excitement of turning a matchstick into a needle and a small break, the rest of the class was a lecture on theory; by the time it was done, everyone was ready for lunch.
Afterward, they went to a short Defense class since it had been canceled the day before. And indeed, the Auror seen at breakfast stood before them. Professor Yuna's baby was due sometime after the holidays, so one of her coworkers would help with the classes and take over afterward. Since time was short, they reviewed what first years needed to understand and the subjects she would cover for the rest of the year. Afterward, while the Hufflepuffs wandered off, the Ravenclaw girls visited the library to start their homework.
Morgaine looked up shortly after, surprised when Tracey, Daphne, and the other Slytherin girls joined them at their table.
"Don't you have class?"
"Potions with the Gryffs was canceled," Daphne replied, looking into her book bag.
"Do you know why?" Padma asked.
"Not really," Tracey answered. "But Snape was really grumpy today."
"Tracey," Pansy sighed. "We were actually in the middle of brewing when he was called away. Soon after, one of the Seventh years came by, vanished our potions, and handed out homework."
Millicent looked up from setting out her Chocolate Frog Cards collection. "Oh, and don't forget that Longbottom blew up his cauldron and was sent to Madam Pomfrey."
"Bet that was it," Mandy pointed out.
"Sounds like he didn't take the cauldron off the flame before he added the nettles," Padma explained. "What's odd, that wasn't mentioned in the instructions."
"It wasn't. However, it is written somewhere in our Potions book," Daphne said. "But someone, I think Granger might have mentioned it during class but was told to be quiet."
Morag, who had pulled out her own Chocolate Cards collection, commented, "I knew it because I brew with my mum, but if it weren't for Morgaine, most of the class wouldn't have known."
The former Queen sighed. "Yes, well, Susan also made everyone know, but still. Thankfully, Madam Pomfrey is here to look at those splashed with the potion as overheated nettles will cause some really uncomfortable boils."
"So, do you think that's why Professor Snape was pulled out of class?" Mandy asked.
Everyone turned their heads toward Pansy, who huffed. "I know as much as you."
It was then repeated as the first-year heads turned to look at Morgaine, much to her amusement.
When she didn't say anything, Tracy almost shouted. "You do know something."
Lisa then proved why she was in Ravenclaw, giving her friend a thoughtful look. "This happened the day after we had our first potions class."
"True." Padma nodded.
"I bet she sent something to Healer Eloise last night," Lisa insisted.
"Who's that?" Millicent asked.
"It's one of the Healers that Morgaine works with," Tracey answered, then gave her a sly look. "Lisa's right, you little troublemaker."
"Well, it's to be expected. Look what she did to our History Professor," Morag laughed.
Mandy grinned. "And our Defense Professor."
Tracey raised an eyebrow, then nodded sagely. "And why the Cannons lost last season."
"Exactly."
Morgaine just sighed, ignoring her friends, and returned to her homework.
As the curfew began, forcing all students into their dorm rooms, Professors wandered into the staff room. The first to enter were Aurora Sinistra, Hogwarts's Astronomy Professor, and Septima Vector, the Arithmancy Professor, who grabbed a butterbeer off a table laden with snacks. Bathsheba Babbling, the Runes Professor, and Professor Kim Yuma soon joined them. Three of the four Heads of House and the Muggle Studies Professor, Charity Burbage, arrived later.
While drinking Butterbeer and munching on various confectioneries, they talked among themselves, waiting patiently for the rest of their colleagues. Finally, a smug Madam Pomfrey entered the room, followed by an angry Professor Snape and a tired-looking Headmaster.
"Good evening, everyone," Albus Dumbledore began. "This shouldn't be too long, as I know some of you need to get home. First, I want to introduce you to Kim Yuma, who will teach Defense until the end of the year. She's been an Auror for the last five years and is a welcome addition to our school."
After everyone greeted her, he continued. "Secondly, there have been a few changes since school began, not just with our Defense position. If you are not aware, Professor Binn has decided to change how he will teach History. However, he also insists on not using the current textbook. Thankfully, the new ones have been graciously donated to our school by the Rheged family and will be available for each student starting Friday."
"Rumors say that Morgaine Rheged was the one who got the old ghost to teach more than goblin rebellions," Aurora said approvingly.
"Insufferable brat," Snape grumbled.
Madam Pomfrey chastised the Potions Professor. "Severus. she did nothing wrong."
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore intervened, holding off an argument. "Before we get into that, everyone should know that we also have new brooms on the way. Which will include some of the older ones used for Quidditch,"
"About bloody time the governors listened," Burbage grumbled. "Rolanda had a fit a few weeks ago when she had to toss half a dozen of them into the trash."
"Yes, well, it's not the school's governors but the Rheged family donating them."
McGonagall blinked, surprised. "That's awfully gracious of them, Albus. Although unfamiliar with the family name, I had her in class today, and she has a good head on her shoulders. You might like to know Filius that she managed to get all her classmates to work together."
Professor Flitwick sighed, well aware of how hypercompetitive his Ravens could be. "I have a good batch this year."
"Next, I wanted to let you all know that we will be adding a second Potions Professor starting next week. She will be responsible for teaching the First through Fifth years. Professor Snape will continue to teach NEWT-level potions; his other responsibilities have not changed."
"Was this also something that Morgaine Rheged caused?" Septima inquired with a slight grin.
"Before you start, Severus, I have known Healer Eloise for thirty years. She most likely instructed Miss Rheged to report back on all of her classes. Of course, it didn't help when the two auditors from Saint Mongos, looking over my Healer's logs, noticed that Longbottom and Finnigan entered the hospital covered in boils. So, it's no one's fault but your own."
"Holy shit, she was involved," Septima held back a laugh.
"Wait, Hogwarts's was audited?" Charity looked around the room, surprised. "Why are we just hearing about this now? And I didn't know they had the authority."
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "They do when it comes to the safety of the students. There have been concerns about the lack of new Potion Masters in England and the need for extra potions training for both Healers and Aurors before they begin their jobs. Unfortunately, the School Governors haven't been particularly helpful."
"No surprise. Two of Saint Mungo's healers also walked around our greenhouses," Pomona added. "Be lovely if I could get extra hands, especially in the two Seventh-year greenhouses."
"No disrespect," Kim said. "I was surprised that some of my colleagues needed additional potion training when I became an Auror. I graduated from Beauxbaton, and Professor Lefroy was a good teacher. I'm well aware that teaching the little ones can be challenging, so this can only be a good thing, yes?"
"So, do we know who the new Professor will be?" Charity asked.
"Andromeda Tonks," Albus replied. "She has been working as a Potions Master for many years. Most of you will also know her daughter."
That caused a round of laughter around the room.
"Well, even Severus will admit that beyond her usual unique style, the young woman did excellent in school. Which included potions," Pomona said with a smile, giving Snape a look.
The Potions Professor just frowned but didn't disagree.
"Thankfully, both Saint Mungos and the DMLE will contribute to Mrs. Tonks's salary," Dumbledore explained. "I also spoke to the school's Governors before dinner to discuss the situation, although they were not particularly pleased; they had no desire to confront unhappy Healers."
"Unusually smart of them." Flitwick chuckled.
"That's all I wanted to discuss this evening; thank you for staying; we will go back to our usual day next week," Dumbledore concluded, and in no time, the room was cleared.
Professor McGonigal and Snape had remained; however, she stopped the Headmaster before he left the room. "Rose Potter. And don't you start with the nonsense of homeschooling? What happened, Albus?"
The ancient Headmaster rubbed his eyes. "No one knows for sure, Minerva. And the investigation has been taken out of my hands. The DMLE is working with the Muggle Police to determine what happened to Miss Potter."
"We should have never left her with those people. I knew from the start they be trouble."
"And the goblins?" Snape inquired.
"Exceedingly unhelpful, stating that we should look after our children better."
"At least that's something we can agree on," McGonigal continued her tirade. "Ye better hope they find her, Albus. The whole school is talking about it, and if you didn't know, there's a Muggle newspaper circulating about her disappearance. The whole thing is disgusting. I have half a mind to go speak to these people myself."
"I'm doing all I can, Minerva," Dumbledore raised his hand in surrender.
"Do better," she challenged him, storming out of the room.