Harry Potter and the Fortune of Ravenclaw

Chapter Three: A New Year


The Entrance Hall looked no different. Except one thing. In place of the
picture of the valley that was the Valley Beyond the Forbidden Forest, there
was a picture of a young boy, slightly older than Harry, wearing yellow and
black robes. He looked as if he was glancing over all of the students as
they came in. Harry knew who the subject of the painting was straight away.
It was Cedric Diggory. The fifth-year Hufflepuff who Harry had competed
against in the Triwizard Cup. They were transported to the Graveyard, where
they saw Lord Voldemort being reborn. Or rather, Harry did. Cedric was
killed, and didn't get to see the dawn of the new era as Harry did. He
looked at the inscription.


If the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is
right and what is easy, remember Cedric Diggory.

Cedric Diggory, Hflpf 5th, Capt. Qdtch.


Harry looked into the soulless eyes of the portrait, and went on into the
Main Hall. Everyone else had already arrived. The tables had been shortened.
Everything was completely different. The staff table was longer. Then it hit
him. Everything was changing. The teachers were sat round the staff table,
with some new faces. He looked around for Krum, and couldn't find him. Come
to think of it, he couldn't see any of the Durmstrang pupils. They walked
over to the Gryffindor table, and sat down. Something was extremely wrong.
He couldn't see the stool, or the Sorting Hat. Professor McGonagall, was
restless at her seat at the table, instead of looking after the new first
years. Professor Dumbledore came out from his office on the side of the
room. He walked over to his seat on the staff table, and there was instant
silence.

"It is the beginning of the new school year, and as you may have noticed or
heard, things have changed drastically from last year, and you must know
about them," started Dumbledore. Harry had a feeling that this would be a
long speech.

"Firstly, an amendment to our letter. The Hogwarts-Beauxbatons-Durmstrang
Initiative has now become the Hogwarts-Beauxbatons Initiative. Professor
Karkaroff left abruptly this morning. Therefore, we have had to change the
layout of the castle, to accommodate our guests. You will notice this as you
go around

"This year, we aren't accepting any new first years, because of the current
... er ... delicate condition.

Dumbledore then started on about the timetables and teachers. Harry
switched off, until he heard the fifth year being mentioned.

"The Hogwarts houses Ravenclaw and Gryffindor will team up with their
Beauxbatons equivalents, Crinierelion and Corbeaux, and they will be taught
as the Alpha group, and Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Blaireaux and Serpentent will
make the Omega team.

"The two groups from each school will be taught together, for example
Slytherin, and Hufflepuff."

Harry was glad. He would rather be with the wise and helpful Ravenclaws
than with the Slytherins.

"The teachers for the Alpha group will be Professors McGonagall, Letigre,
Flitwick, Boisse, Figg and Trelawney."

Harry was happy because Snape's name hadn't been mentioned in the list, but
unhappy, because Trelawney's was. Professor Trelawney was the creepy
Divination teacher who was always predicting Harry's death. Harry wasn't too
happy about her, as was Professor McGonagall. She didn't believe that
"Divination was a proper branch of magic." Harry was also feeling deja vu.
He recognised the name Figg. As it didn't sound French, he assumed that
Professor Figg was the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher.

Dumbledore moved on to the sixth year, and the seventh year. They patiently
listened.

"And now, I would like to introduce you to the teachers from Beauxbatons.
Madame Maxime?"

Dumbledore sat down, and Madame Maxime stood up.

"Thank you, Dumbly-dorr," started Madame Maxime. "And many thanks for you
all, for making us feel welcome."

Everybody applauded, including the line of teachers to her right. The one
immediately to her right stood up. She was a very attractive young lady. She
had silvery-blond hair.

"I am Professor Letigre, I teach Potions, and I am head of Serpentent
stood up, as she sat down.

"I am Professor Beauxons, and I teach Divination," said the short stumpy
man. He sat down, and the other teachers introduced themselves. There was
Professor Delafleur, the Charms teacher, who had her long brown hair tied
back in a plait. Professor Boisse, a tall, well-built man, with a formidable
look on his face. There was Professor Bouclier, a man looking very similar
to Professor Boisse.

Dumbledore stood back up.

"Please pick up your timetable on parchment on your way out."

They applauded, as they rose. Harry walked over to the door, and picked up
a piece of parchment. It was totally blank. Harry looked at it closer.

Suddenly, a mouth burst out from it.

"Ah! Harry Potter! I am lucky!" said the mouth. "I was hoping I would get
you!"

"What lesson have I got now?" asked Harry, feeling a bit stupid talking to
a piece of paper. He looked around to see others doing the same.

"Potions with Professor Letigre, in her laboratory on the 3rd floor."

He walked into the entrance hall, and waited for Ron and Hermione.

"Right! Let's get to Potions!" said Ron, and Harry and Hermione felt
surprised to hear him sound this positive about a Potions lesson. But then
again, anything would be better than a lesson with Snape. As they were about
to find out.