Harry Potter and the House of Ravenclaw

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Chapter Two - The New Teachers

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The week had dragged on, but finally Harry was in the car on his way to the station with Uncle Vernon.

“I hope you don’t expect me to carry any of your things.” Uncle Vernon was going on with himself. “You’ve got so much bloody stuff, I don’t know how you can afford it all. Why you need it is beyond me. I never took so much crap to school with me when I was a lad.”

As they turned into the station car park Harry’s face broke into a smile. There were Ron and his family, standing waiting for him.

“Oh, I see your freaky little friends are there. Well, they can carry your stuff,” Uncle Vernon grumbled. “I’ll pop the boot. I’m not getting out of the car.”

~~~~~

“Hi, Harry.” Ron grinned as he helped Harry pull the last of his luggage out of the car.

“Hi.” Harry returned the grin. “How was Paris?”

“Great!” Ron nodded. “Did you get my postcard?”

Harry nodded and opened his mouth to answer but Uncle Vernon called out.

“Are you done chatting? Put my boot down!”

Harry slammed the boot shut and then, without a thank you or goodbye, Uncle Vernon sped off.

“He’s not changed then.” Mr Weasley sighed, shaking his head. “Still rude.”

“And uncaring.” Mrs Weasley scowled, then turning to Harry broke out in a huge smile. “How are you, dear?”

“I’m fine,” Harry mumbled into Mrs Weasley’s coat as she enveloped him in a hug. “Did you have a nice time in Paris?”

Mrs Weasley looked down at him with pride. “You’re so polite. I did. Thank you.” She smiled and looked around the group. “Well come on! It’s twenty to eleven! Let’s get to the train in good time.”

They made their way through the crowds to the barrier, and then one by one passed through to the wizard platform of nine and three quarters, which as usual was packed with Hogwarts students.

With great difficulty they made their way through the teeming mass of students until they reached the train.

“Harry! Ron!” A familiar voice shouted from behind them, over the noise

They spun round to see Hermione fighting her way towards them through the crowd. She was practically dragging her trunk behind her and under one arm Harry could see a very miserable looking Crookshanks in his basket.

“Hermione.” Harry greeted her and helped her lift her trunk onto the train. “Have a nice summer?”

Out of breath from pushing her way across the platform, Hermione simply nodded.

“Come on, there’s a free compartment here,” Ron called out to them.

~~~~~

They had been travelling for a good two hours, catching up on their summers, having fun swapping stories about Scotland and Paris and Dudley, when Harry had a sudden thought.

“Ron!” he exclaimed.

“What?” Ron looked quite alarmed.

“I’ve just remembered I wanted to ask you something.”

“Oh.” Ron gave a small laugh. “Sounds scary.”

Hermione giggled.

“You know those copies of Witch Weekly your mum gave me?” Harry asked.

Ron nodded.

“Well, in one there was some stuff about the Ravenclaw family.”

“You mean the Ravenclaw family who co-founded Hogwarts?” Hermione cut in.

“Yeah.” Harry nodded to Hermione and turned back to Ron. “It mentioned the Weasley family and the Malfoys. Do you know the Ravenclaws?”

Ron chuckled and nodded. “My dad’s sister, Auntie Connie, married the brother of the current Mrs Ravenclaw, Uncle Ed. Their name is Rowl, though.”

“How come you’ve never told us?” Hermione glared at Ron.

“Never came up.” Ron shrugged. “It’s not that important. We see them sometimes at family parties, but that’s it. Nothing special.”

“So how are the Malfoys connected?” Harry leaned forward.

“Oh, Bevan Ravenclaw’s sister, Lavinia, married Lucius Malfoy’s brother, Magnus.” Ron shrugged again. “They’re just like us. Connected to the Ravenclaws, but not related. It really pisses them off because they can’t get any of the Ravenclaw money.”

“Neither can you,” Hermione pointed out.

“Yeah, but we’re not bothered.” Ron shook his head. “Dad and Mr Malfoy had a big argument about it once at a family party. Mr Malfoy was having a go at Dad for not trying to get any money. And Dad was having a go back saying the Malfoys shouldn’t ask because they have their own money. That’s one of the reasons why they hate each other so much.”

“That’s why Malfoy calls your family a disgrace?” Hermione couldn’t believe it. “Because you wouldn’t beg for money?”

“Pretty much.” Ron started to laugh.

“Sums the Malfoys up quite nicely.” Harry joined Ron in laughing.

~~~~~

As the train pulled into Hogwarts station, the three of them quickly pulled on their robes and prepared for the carriage ride up to the castle. The carriages weren’t exactly built for comfort, and the road was very bumpy. But soon all were safely inside the front doors and started to make their way to the Great Hall.

Rumours were circulating among the students that Professor Lupin had been seen and that Professor McCawley, who taught Muggle Studies, was nowhere to be found. Just as Harry was wondering if the rumours were true, he heard a voice behind him.

“Harry!”

Harry turned to find Professor Lupin smiling at him.

“Professor!” Harry grinned.

“Hello, you three.” Lupin smiled down at them. “Have a good summer?”

They murmured in the affirmative, and Lupin nodded.

“Good, good. Could I have a quick word with Harry, please?” Lupin asked Ron and Hermione softly.

Ron and Hermione smiled replies, and turned to go on into the Great Hall.

“You’re back.” Harry couldn’t stop grinning at Lupin.

“I am.” Lupin nodded slowly. “Dumbledore has spoken with many of the parents and it seems I’ve been requested.”

“People have gone home and told their parents about how good you were.” Harry laughed. “I always thought you were the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we’ve ever had. It looks like others agree with me.”

“It seems so.” Lupin’s expression suddenly became serious. “Harry, there are going to be two new teachers this year and three students entering the year above you.”

“The year above?” Harry cocked his head.

“Yes.” Lupin looked around as if to make sure no one else was listening. “You must be wary of them, Harry.”

“Are they working for…?”

“Oh, no!” Lupin shook his head. “But they have grown up in a very different world to you or me. They’re quite privileged, more so than the Malfoys. They’ve had to go through the same sort of fame you have, but since birth.”

“They’re famous?”

“Harry.” Lupin’s voice held a warning tone. “Please think carefully before becoming friends with them. Your fame alienates you from some people. If you started—well—consorting with other famous people, it could alienate you more from people you care about. Do you understand what I mean, who I’m talking about?”

“You mean Ron?”

“Yes. Ron.” Lupin nodded. “You need him. He needs you. Just think before you approach these new students.”

“I will.” Harry was trying to see into the Great Hall. “Are they here now?”

“They’re expected to arrive next week, as far as I can gather. Harry—”

Harry turned back to him.

“Please try and remember what I’ve said.” There was a note of urgency now in Lupin’s voice. His eyes seemed to be searching Harry’s.

Unsure what to say to him, Harry gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

Lupin nodded. “Off you go, then.”

Harry headed towards the Great Hall.

As he stepped through the doorway, most of the Gryffindor table turned round in their seats to watch him, joined by members of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. A few people even waved and gave small cheers. He knew then, all too well, what Lupin meant by famous.

**********

The week had flown by and despite his best efforts Severus was still none the wiser about the two new teachers coming this year. All he knew was they were from the year that was two years above his own at Hogwarts; they would be two out of forty. He had his suspicions about whom Dumbledore had hired, but he was praying he was wrong. Dumbledore wouldn’t do that to him, it had to be one of the headmaster’s little jokes. He walked over to his window and watched as the carriages carrying the students wound their way up the path to Hogwarts. Soon the school would be full of people and he would find out the identity of the new teachers.

~~~~~

The Great Hall was already filled with students as Severus entered. He noticed Draco Malfoy trying to catch his attention from the Slytherin table but ignored him. He had no time for Malfoy, his father, or any other member of that Dark family. There had been a time when he had befriended them and it had cost him dearly. They had led him into evil and he wasn’t going there again.

He took the seat between Professors Sinistra and Flitwick, both smiling as he took his seat.

“Exciting isn’t it?” Professor Flitwick squeaked from his seat on top of five books.

“What is?” Severus turned to him, ignoring Professor Trelawney who was waving at him in an unusually manic fashion.

“The new teachers.” Flitwick smiled and nodded to the empty seats at the Head Table.

“We’ve had new teachers before.” Sinistra smiled at Flitwick, her hands folded across her chest. She seemed amused by the small professor. “I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”

“Nor do I,” Severus growled. “So they’re former students. So am I. So are you.”

“In fact most of the teachers here came to Hogwarts at some point,” Sinistra interjected. “It’s hardly ground-shattering news.”

“Well, you’ll see,” the small professor sniggered.

When a few cheers came from the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, Severus knew instantly that Harry Potter had arrived. He looked up and saw the small black-haired boy take his seat between Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Harry glanced up and met Severus’s eyes for a second before looking back at his friends.

As much as Severus hated to admit it, it was becoming harder and harder to hate that boy. Yes, he was son of James Potter, whom Severus hated with all his being, and he was the godson of Sirius Black, whom Severus had more reason to hate than he hated James Potter, but be that as it may, this Potter was different. He still had his father’s habit of ignoring rules when it suited him, but he had also saved countless lives on several occasions.

Perhaps Severus’s sister had been right. “You only hate him because of who his father is,” she had said. “That’s ridiculous. What’s the point? He’s a child; he’s never done any wrong to you. Why hate him? You can dislike him, but don’t hate the child, because at the end of the day that’s all he is, a child.”

Now, seeing Harry glance up at him again, Severus smiled directly into the boy’s eyes. Harry looked quite unnerved by this, that alone was funny and Severus, smirking, looked away.

Trelawney caught his eye. “I need to speak with you,” she mouthed.

“Why?” he hissed back, past Sinistra, who looked quite put out at being talked across.

Trelawney bridled. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly say here. But I believe you’ll want to speak to me after you’ve met the new teachers.”

“Why would I want to talk to you?” Severus spat. “Do you know who they are?”

“Not…really. I’ve not Seen them.” Trelawney sounded reluctant to admit this unsurprising fact. “But you know them, and I have an…idea…of what’s to come.” She finished on her usual annoying mystical note, looking at him as if he should be suitably impressed with what information she had disclosed.

“Ignore her.” Sinistra whispered in his ear so Trelawney couldn’t hear. “You know what Sybill is like.”

“Hmm.” Severus nodded but continued to look at Trelawney, who was smiling at him.

“Don’t worry, I believe it’s good,” she mouthed before looking over at Dumbledore as he stood up to address the hall.

“Welcome, everyone. It is good to see you all again,” the headmaster said. “I hope you have had an excellent summer. And now, let us commence with the Sorting.”

He sat down, and nodded to Professor McGonagall, who went to the back of the Hall and led in a group of petrified-looking first years. She instructed them to line up by the Head Table, and the hall fell silent as all eyes turned to the Sorting Hat on its stool. After it had sung its song, the list of names was called out and, slowly, the first years were sorted into houses.

Most unusually, the new students were not evenly sorted, some houses getting more than others. Hufflepuff got hardly any first years. Slytherin got more than Gryffindor; but Ravenclaw was the outright winner, getting thirteen more than Slytherin. There was barely enough room at the Ravenclaw table for the last of their first years to sit down.

Dumbledore raised his hands for silence. “Excellent. Rather a lot for Ravenclaw. Professor Flitwick, you’ll have your hands full.” He smiled down at the diminutive professor, who winked and waved at his table.

“Firstly,” Dumbledore went on, “I’d like to let you all know that Quidditch is back on this year. Most of you will remember it was cancelled last year for the Triwizard Tournament. I can see from your jumping and cheering that this is good news.”

He stood, smiling, waiting, until a measure of calm had returned to the hall.

“Also, as some of you in the fifth year have no doubt noticed, house prefects have not been chosen yet. This is owing to unforeseeable delays due to events over the summer, and the decisions have not yet been finalised. Therefore they will be announced at the Halloween feast, and I ask that the sixth-year prefects be especially vigilant until then.

“Lastly, we have three new teachers this year. Professor Lupin has returned to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.” Severus glanced down to the end of the table. He hadn’t noticed Lupin come in, but there he was, smiling nervously at the students.

“Professor Binns has finally admitted he is dead, and has decided it is an excellent excuse to retire,” Dumbledore continued. “Also, Professor McCawley has had to retire due to ill health. Therefore, two new teachers have been appointed. However, neither of them has arrived yet.”

Suddenly the doors at the end of the hall opened and two figures entered. Both were covered head to toe in long black cloaks, and were carrying heavy looking leather bags in each hand. They stopped for a second as they dropped the four bags on the floor with a loud thud.

“Sorry we’re late, Headmaster,” the shortest figure spoke. It was a man’s voice, deep and rumbling, with a heavy Northern accent. “We got held up and missed the Hogwarts Express. We had to make our own way here.”

The two figures pulled back their hoods. The first, the one who spoke, looked to be in his late forties with short and curly brown hair. His chin was almost covered in thick stubble, which made him look untidy, and he had a small scar above his left eye. His large brown eyes smiled up at Dumbledore. He reminded Severus of someone, but for the life of him, the Potion’s master couldn’t remember the man’s name.

The second was a female. She was taller and slimmer than the male. Her curly red hair was tied up in a rough bun, and a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles perched on the end of her nose. Her pale blue eyes glanced around the room fondly, as if she were remembering her years at Hogwarts. From each ear hung a pair of cat-shaped earrings, black, with rubies for eyes. She, too, looked as if she was in her late forties.

“Everyone.” Dumbledore raised his hands for silence, interrupting Severus’s thoughts. “I would like to introduce Professor Edward Rowl, our new History of Magic teacher, and our new Muggle Studies teacher, Doctor Verena Ravenclaw.”

The same whispers rippled down each house table: “Ravenclaw.” The students at the Ravenclaw table were all smiling and looking around at the other houses as if to say, “What’s the matter? Don’t you have a teacher with the same name as your house?”

“Would you both please take your seats?” Dumbledore said as he smiled at them and motioned to the head table. “We were just about to start the feast.”

“We’d be delighted Headmaster.” Dr. Ravenclaw smiled as she gave a half-bow. Her eyes scanned the table and fell on Severus, and for a second their eyes met. Then she broke away and the two arrivals walked slowly up the middle of the hall to the head table.

~~~~~

Harry stared at the new teachers. Had he heard correctly? Was one of them called Ravenclaw?

He turned to Ron, who didn’t seem impressed by the new arrivals.

“Ron?” Harry whispered.

“Oh, that’s my Uncle Ed and his sister Verena. I told you on the train.” Ron smiled at his uncle as the man passed by on his way to the head table. “He’s nice, but Verena’s a bit weird.”

“Weird how?” Harry looked at his friend.

Ron took a deep breath and started to explain the things he had seen at family parties.

~~~~~

Ravenclaw took the empty seat between Professors Sinistra and Trelawney.

“I’m Professor Celina Sinistra. I teach Astronomy,” Sinistra introduced herself as she smiled at her new neighbour. “I understand you went to Hogwarts? What year did you leave?”

Piles of food appeared before them as Ravenclaw gave a small laugh. “I was two years above Remus Lupin and Severus Snape.” She motioned to the two men she had named. “In the same year as my brother Edward, Professor Rowl.”

“Oh lovely, you’ll get to work with family.” Sinistra was making pleasant conversation. “I hardly ever see my brother.”

Severus sat there chewing his food thoughtfully. He could feel Rowl and Lupin staring at him. They both knew about his past with Ravenclaw, they must be wondering why he and Ravenclaw weren’t talking.

He would have to talk to her. He had to find out where he stood. Her being here had stirred up emotions he had thought were long dead, emotions he hadn’t thought he was capable of feeling anymore.

The feast seemed to drag on longer than usual but soon the students and staff had eaten their fill and the sixth-year prefects were leading the other students up to bed.

“A lovely feast this year, don’t you think?” Flitwick smiled as he jumped down from his chair. “And lovely company,” he added, looking up at Ravenclaw, who half-bowed.

“Goodnight.” She smiled and waved as Flitwick left the Great Hall.

“Your belongings have already been taken upstairs.” Dumbledore appeared at Ravenclaw’s side, making her jump slightly. “Your rooms are on the third floor. They’ve been remodelled since the previous tenant vacated them.”

Severus couldn’t help smiling. Dumbledore was, of course, talking about the removal of Fluffy. The giant three-headed dog had taken out half the floor when the time had come for him to leave.

“Thank you.” Ravenclaw nodded and turned to go, but came face to face with Lupin.

“Hello, Verena,” Lupin said kindly. “May I walk you to your room?”

Ravenclaw raised an eyebrow. “That’s very kind of you, Remus. But I’m going to walk up with Severus, I really need to talk to him.”

About to go out the door, Severus stopped in his tracks and spun back around. Lupin was trying unsuccessfully to hide from Ravenclaw the fact that he was staring at Snape.

“Very well.” Lupin nodded, and went to join Rowl.

Ravenclaw swept over to the stunned Potions Master, her long black cloak still fastened. “Shall we?”

“This way.” Severus held the door for her.