Harry Potter and the House of Ravenclaw

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Chapter Four - Crisis Over

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Harry was dreaming.

In this dream he was riding his broom high above a mountain, soaring over the snow-covered peak and rocky outcrops. The wind rushed through his hair and he could feel the sting of the cold on his face. Harry found himself lowering his altitude and as he swooped lower he could see a woman.

He could only see her faintly and had to squint to try and get a clearer image. Then suddenly, as if someone had held a magnifying glass over her, Harry could see her in detail. She had shoulder-length red hair, sparkling green eyes, and a kind expression. She had a familiarity about her that made Harry feel warm but also sad. She smiled and waved for him to come down.

However, as Harry tried to turn his broom, he found he couldn’t. No matter how much he tried to get to the red-haired woman he kept flying further away.

Soon she was just a small dot on the mountain.

~~~~~

Harry could hear Ron’s voice.

It seemed like it was somewhere in the distance, but slowly he became aware that he was in bed and just waking up. He opened his eyes and looked around at the heavy curtains surrounding his bed. He could still hear Ron, but now Fred and George as well.

He heard George’s voice. “I don’t believe it.”

“It could be worse,” said a voice very much like Ron’s.

“He’s right,” Harry thought he heard Fred say. Or was it George again? “At least it’s not about Snape and Ravenclaw.”

Harry crawled to the end of his bed and pulled open the curtains.

“What time is it?”

“Oh, did we wake you?” Fred looked apologetic. “Sorry.”

“It’s just gone half past six.” Ron tried to smile.

“What are you three talking about?” Harry climbed out of his bed and onto Ron’s where the three brothers were sitting. “What’s happened?”

Fred held up a copy of the Daily Prophet. The front page held the headline:

RAVENCLAWS RETURN TO HOGWARTS.

The picture was Dumbledore shaking hands with a man with neat dark hair wearing very smart robes who Harry presumed was Mr Ravenclaw. Standing to the other side of Mr Ravenclaw was Dr Ravenclaw, smiling at the two wizards.

“It’s all about Dr Ravenclaw teaching here and how she’s replaced Professor McCawley.” George was shaking his head. “But that’s not all.”

“It’s not?” Harry’s stomach felt like it had just flipped over. “Why, what else is in there?”

“It’s not about Snape if that’s what you’re thinking,” Fred assured him. “Jasmine Ravenclaw is also coming to Hogwarts.”

“This year?” Harry watched as the three brothers nodded. He suddenly remembered then what Lupin had said about the three students from privileged backgrounds. Could Jasmine Ravenclaw be one of them?

“How old is Jasmine Ravenclaw?” Harry asked Ron who sighed.

“A year older than me.” Ron scowled at the newspaper. “They are coming for the final two years, just to take their N.E.W.T.S.”

“They?” Harry felt like he already knew the answer.

“Yeah, our cousin Lucy Rowl is coming.” Ron nodded.

“She’s dead nice.” Fred nodded as well. “Really funny and clever.”

“Good fun.” George agreed with his twin. “She’ll be put into Gryffindor, I bet you anything.”

“Who else?” Harry turned back to Ron.

“Malfoy’s cousin, Heather Malfoy.” Ron pulled a face. “Both of them are Jasmine’s cousins too. They are how our family and Malfoy’s are connected to the Ravenclaws.”

“She’ll be put in Slytherin.” Fred copied Ron’s face, a mix of revulsion and hatred.

“What about Jasmine Ravenclaw?” Harry’s curiosity got the better of him. “What House do you think she will she be put in?”

“Well, Ravenclaw of course.” Fred and George both laughed.

**********

“I hate Mondays.” Ron grumbled as he picked at his breakfast.

“It’s only been a week and you’re moaning already.” Hermione shook her head.

“It doesn’t change the fact that I hate Mondays.” Ron stuck his tongue out at her.

At the head table, Hagrid sat with Professors McGonagall and Flitwick eating breakfast. The side door opened and Dumbledore entered the Great Hall.

“Children,” he called to the hall.

Every head in the hall turned to look at him.

“I have an announcement. In addition to our three new teachers, we will also be joined by three new students.

“More unusually, these students will be joining Hogwarts as a sixth form to study their N.E.W.T.S and therefore are a little older than you might expect.”

Whispers filtered through the hall as those who had read the Daily Prophet spoke with those who hadn’t.

“The reason why the Daily Prophet has covered their entry,” Dumbledore continued, “is because the students in question are Heather Malfoy, Jasmine Ravenclaw, and Lucy Rowl. They will be arriving later this afternoon and the Sorting Ceremony will take place this evening. That is all.”

With this Dumbledore left through the same side door in which he’d entered.

“Did you hear that?” Hermione turned to Ron. “Ravenclaw’s daughter is coming. Now she’ll have to cool it with Snape.”

“I never thought of that.” Ron cheered up. “She won’t want to go around with her boyfriend if her daughter still thinks she’s with her dad.”

“Exactly.” Hermione nodded. “Crisis over.”

~~~~~

Snape was apparently thinking the same thing, as when Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned up for Potions, he was blustering around in a fashion that reminded Harry of an overgrown bat.

“SIT!” Snape bellowed at the class. A few of the Slytherin students jumped, clearly not used to being shouted at by him.

“There will be no talking during this lesson.” Snape continued. “The potion for today is on the board. Get started!”

The class immediately got to work on a rather tricky potion for the removal of warts.

Harry glanced around the classroom. The entire class - Gryffindor and Slytherin alike - was watching Snape with caution.

Rumours of him and Ravenclaw had spread throughout the school and no doubt everyone was thinking the same thing: would it continue now that Jasmine Ravenclaw was joining the scene?

Harry looked up at Snape who was sat scribbling away at his desk. Harry turned to Ron, who shrugged. They dare not speak. They had seen Snape in bad moods before and this was ten times worse.

**********

Severus pushed the heavy wooden door to the staff room open, letting it bang against the wall. Lupin was sitting in one of the huge leather chairs around the edge, apparently finishing some of his marking.

“Severus?” Lupin jumped slightly as the door slammed against the wall. “Is anything wrong?”

Severus threw him a vicious glare. “Should anything be wrong?” he hissed through clenched teeth.

“You seemed to be in a bad - err - worse mood than usual.” Lupin, it appeared, was attempting to joke with him.

Severus scowled at Lupin. “I have some things on my mind.”

“Like what?” Lupin stood up and started to walk over to the irritated Potions master.

“What I think about is my own business and nobody else’s,” Severus snapped

“I understand that, Severus, but-”

“But nothing,” Severus growled.

After glancing round the room, Severus turned to leave.

“She’s talking with Dumbledore,” Lupin called after him.

“What?” Severus turned back.

“Verena is talking with Professor Dumbledore.” Lupin backed away from the aggressive-looking teacher.

“What makes you think I was looking for Dr Ravenclaw?” Severus advanced on Lupin.

“I just assumed-” Lupin attempted to explain his reasoning, but Severus cut him off.

“Well, don’t assume.” He stood barely an inch from Lupin. “Keep your snout out of my business, werewolf.”

Lupin took a deep breath. “Severus, there is no need to lash out like that. I was only trying to help-”

“You? Help me?” Severus gave a harsh laugh. “You are of no help or use to anyone. You are a second-rate teacher and it still amazes me how you became a professor.”

“I learnt like everyone else and-” Lupin began.

“But you’re not like everyone else though, are you?” Severus continued. “You are a monster who should not be in this school as a teacher and should have never been allowed here as a student. Dumbledore was misguided in letting a dark creature like you into this school, but not as misguided as your parents. They should have killed you when you were bitten; it would have saved the world a lot of trouble. You are an evil, soulless beast who should have been killed long ago.”

With that Severus turned round and walked briskly out of the staff room. He couldn’t help feeling a small amount of guilt about what he had just done, but as soon as the emotion arose, Severus pushed it back down. It was about time someone put Remus Lupin in his place after all.

Deep down, however, Severus had to admit that his attack on Lupin had been a substitute for his inability to wage a similar attack on Sirius Black.

~~~~~

Severus knocked harder than he intended on the door of the headmaster’s study. After he had left the staff room he had found his legs taking him towards the staircase that led to Dumbledore’s office.

“Come in, Severus,” Dumbledore called.

As he entered the room, Dumbledore nodded to greet him, but Ravenclaw, who sat facing the Headmaster’s desk, didn’t turn round.

“Can I help you with anything, Severus?” Dumbledore asked politely.

“I was actually looking for Ver…Dr Ravenclaw.” Severus answered truthfully. “I wanted to check what her daughter and nieces had previously studied in the way of Potions,” he lied.

“I see.” Severus could feel Dumbledore’s gaze burning into him. “I was under the impression that their previous school had sent a list to the necessary teachers.”

“They have.” Severus had to think fast. All he wanted was to be close to Ravenclaw, to see her, to smell her… “But I have found it unsatisfactory and therefore wish to go over a few details with Dr Ravenclaw.”

“I see.” Dumbledore nodded. “Take a seat, Severus. Our meeting is nearly over.”

“Over?” Ravenclaw spoke. “I want your assurance Jasmine will be taken care of.”

“I assure you, Verena, every precaution has been taken regarding Jasmine’s safety whilst at Hogwarts.” Dumbledore sat behind his desk and smiled at his Muggle Studies teacher. “Your husband has checked and double checked every security measure I have put in place. Your daughter will be perfectly safe.”

“I have full confidence in you, Professor. I’m just concerned about all the press attention this move is bringing.” Ravenclaw nodded. “This is going to be stressful enough for Jasmine without having the Prophet reporters hanging around plus the threat of Death Eaters.”

Dumbledore’s brow furrowed for a second before he sighed.

“You have heard then.”

“That He is back.” Ravenclaw’s voice shook. “Yes, I heard. Bevan was talking with Fudge and he mentioned it. Of course that bureaucratic idiot thinks that you and young Mr Potter are lying.”

“That is how I understand the situation as well.” Dumbledore nodded slowly. “I take it you believe Voldemort has returned?”

“I know He has.” Ravenclaw frowned.

“Know?” Dumbledore was visibly surprised.

“Yes.” Ravenclaw continued to frown. “Word has been spreading of sightings. Of Him and-”

“Peter Pettigrew.” Dumbledore finished Ravenclaw’s sentence.

She nodded. “So it’s true what I heard?” Ravenclaw shifted in her seat. “Sirius Black is innocent?”

Dumbledore nodded. “I was wondering why you are moving Jasmine, Heather, and Lucy from their private school, St Hazel’s. That is an excellent school for young ladies. Why move them to Hogwarts?”

Ravenclaw seemed taken aback. “I chose to move Jasmine in order to be closer to her. I hardly ever see my children. Kean is always away and Vanora, well, she prefers anyone else’s company to mine. I wish to spend more time with Jasmine in order to… avoid past mistakes.”

Dumbledore wasn’t giving up. “And Heather and Lucy?”

“What about them?” Ravenclaw looked uncomfortable with the line of questioning.

“Why have they also moved schools?”

“I discussed it with Lavinia and Constance and we decided it would be best to keep the girls together.”

“I see.” Dumbledore smiled. “I apologise for the change of subject, Verena, I was merely curious.”

“I see. Well, if you’ll forgive me, I have lessons to plan.” Ravenclaw stood up.

“Of course.” Dumbledore continued to smile as he rose from his seat. “I’ll see you later at dinner for your daughters’ Sorting.”

Ravenclaw nodded and quickly left the room. Only Severus’ eyes followed her.

**********

Ron had cheered up by the time the trio sat down for lunch. Harry watched as his friend helped himself to a large portion of spaghetti bolognaise.

“I wonder if they are here yet,” Hermione chirped up.

Ron shrugged. “Dunno,” he said through a mouthful of food.

“Tell you what, after we’ve finished eating we’ll go and see if any coaches are arriving,” Hermione suggested. “We might get first look at them.”

“Can I come?” Neville’s voice came from the other side of Harry.

“What?” Ron nearly spat his food at Hermione.

“I want to see them.” Neville looked excited. “Jasmine Ravenclaw is supposed to be gorgeous.”

“Gorgeous?” Ron shrugged. “She’s OK, I suppose, but gorgeous?”

“My Gran says she’s really, err…bonnie.” Neville scowled at Ron.

“Fine.” Hermione rolled her eyes. “You can come, just keep it quiet.”

Neville grinned and nodded.

Harry sat there silently. He had been thinking about the way Snape had acted this morning. As scary as Snape was usually, there was something disturbing about his behaviour. He clearly wasn’t happy about Dr Ravenclaw’s daughter and nieces coming to Hogwarts.

Harry glanced up at the teachers’ table expecting to see Snape glaring down on the students like a gargoyle atop a tower. Instead Harry saw an incredibly nervous and upset-looking Lupin.

Lupin looked pale and ill. He usually only looked this way before a full moon, however Harry knew that the full moon was two weeks away. He tried to catch Lupin’s eye, but the unsettled Professor stared at his food as he ate.

For the rest of lunch Harry kept one eye on Lupin until Hermione announced, “Well, I’m finished.”

“Well, I’m not.” Ron continued to shovel food into his mouth.

“Hurry up.” Neville was practically bouncing in his seat.

“Fine, I’m done.” Ron threw down his spoon. “Harry, how about you?”

Harry blinked back into the conversation. “Err, yeah.”

~~~~~

The four of them wandered down to an embankment near the front gates. From there they would be able to see any coaches arriving and it would give them enough time to run to the main entrance.

He sat down on the grass with the others and settled down to wait.

~~~~~

The time seemed to pass far too quickly as it felt as if they had only sat waiting a few minutes for the coaches to arrive when Hermione cried, “It’s nearly time for Transfiguration!”

“What?” Ron looked at her in disbelief. “We’ve only just got out here.”

“No.” Neville shook his head. “We’ve been here for nearly half an hour.”

“Really?” Ron grabbed Neville arm to look at the smaller boy’s watch. “Bloody hell, Harry, they’re right.”

“How much time have we got left?” Harry stood up and tried to peer into the distance for some sign of the new arrivals.

“About seven minutes.” Hermione looked closely at her watch. “Oh, wait…six.”

“We better head back,” Ron muttered glumly.

Harry nodded and looked down at Neville, who nodded.

The four of them began to make their way back to the castle.

Harry looked at Neville as they walked. He seemed rather more disappointed than the rest of them. Harry supposed that Neville had wanted to catch the first glimpse of the Ravenclaw girl in order to get one over on the other students. Neville wasn’t the most popular, cleverest or talented wizard in Hogwarts, he wasn’t even in the top one hundred, but if he had seen the coaches first he could have been at least one of them, if only for an afternoon. Popularity was something Harry had; he had more than he needed. The attention he had received at the start of term had confirmed that. If Harry could have, he’d have given it all away to Neville, to others, just for a quiet life.

~~~~~

Their Transfiguration lesson passed the way many of their lessons had. Professor McGonagall would give a lengthy and complicated explanation, they would copy it down and then they would attempt it.

Today it was turning dogs into chairs. It had been…interesting.

Harry’s ‘chair’ had been furry, still had a tail and on the back of the chair was a dog’s head. Ron hadn’t done much better although he had managed to make the dog look like a hairy chair with a tail. Hermione, of course, had made a perfect pine chair from a little Labrador.

Professor McGonagall awarded Ron and Hermione ten points each for their ‘chairs’ and had even pointed out that Neville had made a good attempt with his cushioned dog.

As the class wandered through the corridors to their next lesson Harry was suddenly reminded of the way Lupin had looked during lunch. He hadn’t told Hermione and Ron, and decided now was probably the best time to do it; before they got into Defence Against the Dark Arts.

“So, hang on.” Hermione cocked her head after Harry had told her. “He looked, miserable, you say?”

Harry nodded. “He looked really pale and shook up.”

“Like he does before a full moon?” Ron frowned. “It’s not for two weeks, is it?”

“It’s not.” Hermione shook her head. “Not to be nasty, Harry, but Professor Lupin isn’t the most cheerful of people. He has a lot to deal with. It could be any number of things that put him on a bit of a downer.”

Harry shook his head. “No, Hermione, you don’t know him like I do. He loved Hogwarts when he was a student here. And he loves teaching here. You should have seen him at the start of term-”

“He was made up that he had been asked back.” Ron cut in. “Especially ’cause parents had asked him.”

“Exactly.” Harry nodded. “He loves it here. The only thing that gets him down is the full moon.”

“Look, we’re going to be late.” Hermione sighed. “It’s our last lesson, let’s just stay behind and ask him. OK?”

Harry and Ron nodded.

“Hopefully this is just you being paranoid, Harry.” Hermione gave a light laugh as they finished the walk to Lupin’s classroom.

Harry gave a small laugh back; hoping Hermione was right and it was his imagination.

It wasn’t.