The Music Year

CHAPTER I: Of Which There is a Change

At the conclusion of the beginning of the year feast, Albus Dumbledore stood, his movement quieting the entire hall of children. Or a blind person would have thought so. But a perceptive human would pick up the floating candles, the magical aura, and the sky ceiling as a sign something was not natural. And of course, the perceptive person would be correct. This was Hogwarts, the school for young Witches and Wizards. And among them, was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived.

He was a tall sixteen year old, with unruly black hair, and green eyes framed by taped glasses. He had been a miserable thing of eleven when he was brought to Hogwarts, where he was now a fine young man. But, as most things in the Magical World are, there was something distinctive about him.

On his center forehead, a thin lighting bolt shaped scar sat boldly, attracting more attention than he cared for. It was the sad souvenir of a terrible event that took his parent's lives.

The Dark Lord, Voldemort, had come to their house one evening, and killed his parents. Then, turning his curse to Harry, it backfired, killing the Dark Lord. Well, almost. He survived, nothing more than a spirit, to be defied and defeated by Harry four more times. The fourth time, it took the life of the only thing he had left for family; his godfather, Sirius Black. Struck down by his cousin Bellatrix, he was gone, never to come again and save the day, as much as Harry feverently hoped.

But that was a year ago. Not that the pain had gone away, no, it would forever stay there, a numb reminder of a great man. No, not at all. But it was somehow lessened, not on his mind all the time anymore.

Now sat the famous Harry Potter, seated by his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, or just Ron. They looked on at their Headmaster silently, awaiting his usual words, not expecting anything different or changed. But, of course, like every year, it would be.

"Now, I hope you all enjoyed the summer vacation. And the train ride as well, though I know someone did not." His eyes twinkled as he looked subtly at Neville Longbottom, who blushed crimson. Neville had recently acquired motion sickness, and well, you get it.

Dumbledore continued on as if nothing had happened.

"I know this year will be harder for some than others. The rules have not changed. The Forbidden Forest is still forbidden, and the..." His voice faded to Harry's ear as he zoned out, scrutinizing the teacher's table. Severus Snape, the Potions Master, sat there, giving loathing glances to random students, though never to his own house, Slytherin. Actually, he looked pretty smug. Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration professor, sat prim and stiff, her hands clasped tightly. The other teachers were there as well, as well as a nasty looking one he presumed to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Further down the line though, he saw one dressed in the teacher's garb that he did not recognize. She had a faintly puzzled look as she looked around the Hall, her eyes widening at certain magical objects. She had dark, long, wavy brown hair, and green eyes. She looked as though she could not be over eighteen, and Harry felt his heart go into his throat as he stared. He shook his head to rid himself of it, looking at the students, only to find certain other young boys, including Ron and the Weasley twins, staring at her in the exact same way Harry had been moments earlier.

Harry returned his gaze to the Headmaster and zoned back in.

"...And now, we have two new members of our staff. Unfortunately, Professor Dolores Umbridge has decided not to return to Hogwarts this year..." he paused, smiling, as the students cheered. He held up his hand after a few minutes of merry-making, causing silence.

"And, taking her place," he paused, letting the eyes of his students wander to the new teachers, and continued, "is former Potion's Master, Professor Severus Snape."

The Hall became still, more silent than any of the students had ever heard it. The silence was then broken by the Slytherins, who started cheering and whooping wildly. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs chimed in with weak clapping, but the Gryffindor table sat in stony silence.

"And, of course, we were needing a replacement potions teacher, and our ad was gladly accepted by Professor Clearheart." Professor Clearheart nodded his head, and there was a smattering of applause.

"The only thing," Dumbledore continued as the small clapping ended, "of which there is a change is in Divination. We have decided to drop the subject."

Loud groans came from Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown, as Divination was their favorite subject. Dumbledore continued calmly.

"In place of a more favorable one. Music." The students gave him peculiar stares, some scratching their heads in puzzlement.

"Our new Professor teaching our new subject, is from America. She is a certified lawyer at eighteen years of age, fresh from Harvard University, a human law school. She is the new head of Gryffindor House, and, since she is close in age to some of them, has requested to sit with her House." There was wild applause, and she blushed deeply.

"She is not a witch, though she is highly trained in them. Her aunts and uncles were once ones, actually, they were some of our former headmasters and mistresses." He chuckled.

"She will be teaching each of you an instrument, and shall be creating a band for each house. You have to sign up and try out for the band, and will be playing in two concerts. The first time you have Music, you will learn about different instruments, and choose one to play. Now, tomorrow you will have your schedules. Goodnight." He lowered the lights, and the students, full and sleepy, lumbered out wearily.