The Hunters

Emma landed with a very painful thud. She stood up and dusted the floo powder from her clothes and face. The large room had at least five other fireplaces in it. People were coming and going, with much more ease then she had. While she watched the wizards and witches move about, memories started to flood back to her. She was only a small child, about five or six, the last time she had been to England, and the last time she would see her mother alive. Her mother wanted her to meet the rest of her family, now that she had come into her powers. Emma’s father had possessed the ability to produce fire from his hands at the age of eleven. Her parents were eager to know at what age this would come about for Emma, if at all. One morning, her mother awoke to the smell of fire in her daughter’s room. Bursting in, she saw that the bed was on fire, but not Emma. Quickly speaking a number of banishing charms, she realized that the day had come for her daughter’s abilities. Emma quickly shook these thoughts from her head as Jess flew out of the fireplace behind her, along with a severely shaken Heath.

“That,“ screamed Heath, “was amazing! That was just too awesome! I mean, wow, that was the best tip I’ve ever had!“

“Heath?" Emma scolded him. “Yes, ma’am? “

“Can it." One by one, the rest of the group arrived. The room reminded her of a subway station, minus the train. People going in all different directions, cramped as they entered and landed in the fireplaces. As they started out of the room, they certainly drew attention to themselves. Most of them were dressed in leather, others in Kevlar, but all in black. Jess was the only person wearing anything close to robes. On the train platform, people rushed around them in every direction.

“We’re supposed to meeting someone named Hagrid," said Emma. "I can’t quite remember what he looks like, so let’s just hang tight. I know he’ll find us." Just then, Briggs was captured in a large shadow. He looked up to see a giant of a man, who curiously resembled Jerry Garcia, in a strange way.

“You must be Hagrid?" he said nervously.

“Ay, I am. Well, you folks must be the hunters from America we’re expecting’. Which one of you lasses are Emmar?“ Emma stood up from the ammo case that she was using as a seat. The last time that she had seen Hagrid, she was five years old. She wanted to see the unicorns, and he even helped her ride one. She remembered feeling so lucky, so happy. When you’re five, you’re biggest worry is if unicorns really exist. It’s when you grow up that things get much more complicated.

“Well, you certainly have grown up, now haven’t you, Emmar? If everyone’s set, let’s get going. Don’t want to draw too much attention." Everyone loaded their gear into one of the three coaches, and bravely started the ride to Hogwarts.

“Sir, I have some very disturbing news, sir." The small man quivered in the shadows as he held onto a letter. He had been given the duty of notifying his boss of any correspondence that arrived to the manor. Being new to the Death Eater organization, he considered it an honor to be working so closely with Lucius Malfoy. Even if that meant receiving excruciating pain every time that the message was not of his boss’s liking.

“What is it, Conners? I’m very busy." Lucius was inspecting the newest issue of the Daily Prophet for any news he could use against Dumbledore, or any member of the Hogwarts staff.

“Oh, I think you’ll want to see this.“ He handed the letter to the man at the desk. He quickly backed out of the room, predicting the news would involve a violent reaction. He still bore the bruises from the last time he delivered bad news. The scar across his face would take at least another week to heal, and a month to disappear completely. The man at the desk opened the letter, scanning it carefully.

“NO!" He shouted, and the letter exploded in his hands. Conner hid just outside the doorway, in fear that he would receive yet another unjust punishment. Lucius quickly stood and recovered his composure. “So, Dumbledore wants to play rough, does he? Well, he’ll get everything he’s anticipating." Lucius smiled wryly as he gripped his wand, “And more."

The castle was smaller then Emma remembered. Everything is larger and more expansive when you’re a child, she said to herself. She gazed out the window of the carriage across the grounds. As she was unloading her share of the equipment, she stared at the castle, in all its magnificence. The main doors were still as beautiful, carved with intricate detail that almost seemed to be painted on. She followed Hagrid, and led the crew into the entrance hall.

“Now, the headmaster should be with you in a few moments. If you don’t mind, I need to be gettin’ back to me class. Got lots to prepare and all." Hagrid smiled. He excused himself and disappeared down one of the long corridors.

“This," Jess exclaimed with joy, “is just as I imagined it! I’ve never been to England, but it is just I thought it would be." As she was admiring a painting of a gallant knight, a white bearded man appeared in the hallway before them. His hair was long and tied into an intricate braid. He was dressed in burgundy robes, and carried a majestic presence that seemed to fill the room.

“I’m glad that you are so excited, Miss Hollings."

“Headmaster." Emma bowed slightly. “It’s an honor to be here. This is my crew. Jessica Hollings is our personal healer." Jess curtsied. "The two gentlemen with all the muscles are Victor Smalls and Washington Briggs. They’re the other registered bounty hunters. And the nerd over there is our beloved Heath Ridge. He’s our computer tech and resident fountain of occult knowledge."

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m sure you’re tired from your journey, so please follow me to your rooms. I hope you don’t mind, but you’ll be placed in the dungeons. It was the most convenient space that was available, and it’s also close to the professor I want you to work with. His name is Serverus Snape."

“Snape, isn’t he a Death -," Emma was cut off.

“He was, but now is a spy for us." Emma rolled her eyes. She knew all too well about the things Snape was capable of. He appeared in many of the archived files in her office. She kept around articles of attacks that happened in the 1980's as a reference. He had killed many innocent people and used his amazing gift for potions to do so. They all followed Dumbledore down a series of staircases and winding hallways, until they came to a giant oak door.

“I’ve taken the privilege of setting a password for you all," Dumbledore looked up at the giant door. “Magnum," he said and the door opened wide.

"Magnum. That’s good," Briggs muttered with a smile.

“I have done my research on muggle objects, as well as your crew." Emma smiled and walked in, followed by Jess and the rest of the party. The first thing she saw was another hallway that opened into a giant common room. The walls were stone, and tapestries covered them from ceiling to floor. There were five rooms, one for each of the crew members. “Each of you will have your own individual sleeping chambers as well as the great room. I do hope this will do."

“It’s wonderful, Albus, thanks." Emma shook his hand. Everyone started to haul in the gear and get settled. While everyone else was occupied, Emma walked the headmaster away from the group and into one of the sleeping chambers. She had some questions about Snape that needed to be answered. “Albus, you said you wanted us to work with Professor Snape. What does that entail?"

“It involves that you stay out of my way and only interact when asked!" Snape made his way through the door to face Emma. He was at least 6 inches taller then her, his face fixed in a disturbing scowl. “I will thank you to take that advice, girl." Everyone else noticed that Snape had barged into the room, in a very rude, yet normal fashion. They left their equipment in the common room and went to see what was going on.

“You got a problem?" Briggs approached Snape with a gun in hand.

“A gun; a mere muggle object? Am I supposed to be scared of you?" Emma snuck behind Snape and pushed her gun into his side.

“No, you’re supposed to be scared of me." Snape whirled around, his wand at the ready.

“Do not make me hex you!"

“Oh, I’m not worried about that." Emma smiled. She slowly placed her gun on the floor and held out her hands as she rose. Fire, in shades of blue and green, erupted from her palms and trickled down her fingers. Snape’s eyes grew large, his mouth slightly opened in disbelief. Tucking his wand back into his robes he regained his grim composure.

“That’s quite a trick, Miss Marchbanks. Apparently your aunt wasnÂ’t lying when she spoke of your waddles magic skills."

“Apparently she wasn’t. Now, Professor, we have a lot of unpacking to do."

“Yes, let’s go to my office, Serverus." Albus led him out. “I’m in need of a spot of tea.” Turning to Emma before exiting, he gave her a small wink. “Dinner is at six in the Great Hall." Emma waved her hands and the flames disappeared. This was going to be interesting. She thought. She also wondered who would be leaving alive.

Everyone walked as a group to the Great Hall for dinner. Heath couldn’t stop talking. He had never seen anything like Hogwarts before. He stopped at least five times to chat with paintings, and then almost fainted when they were approached by two ghosts, welcoming them.

“A real apparition, a true apparition! I can’t believe it! It’s a dream come true!"

“Yes, and you know what my dream is?" Vic said.

“What’s that, Vic?"

“That you never speak again." Heath quivered behind Emma. He may have been the smartest guy on the team, but he was easily intimidated. When they finally arrived at the Great Hall, they were greeted by a woman. She was old in age, but her eyes dazzeled with the ease of youth. Her presence was warm and kind, but instantly commanded respect.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Head Mistress and professor of Transfiguration. You’ll be sitting at the head table with the other professors and myself. Please follow me." She led them down a center aisle, between tables filled with students. Everyone was whispering and pointing at them, something the hunters had become accustomed to. Looking up, they saw the remarkable ceiling, capturing the night sky. When they were all seated, Dumbledore stood and began his speech.

“Students, please let me welcome some distinguished guests. They are magical bounty hunters from America, and are here to help in the efforts against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. They will be roaming about for the next few months, so please treat them with the respect and kindness that you do all of your professors. Now." Dumbledore spread his arms wide in front of him. “Let us feast." With those last words, the food appeared magically in front of them on the table.

As they were eating, they talked to the other professors, especially Professor Flitwick, who was getting terribly annoyed with Heath, trying to explain he was not a leprechaun. Vic and Briggs stuck a chord with Argus Filch, who showed a great interest when they began a debate on corporal punishment. Emma was chatting with her great-great-great aunt when she looked out into the crowd of students. She met eyes with a blonde haired boy who was scowling at her. She raised her eyebrows, as if to say, what do you want? He just sneered back at her, and a strange chill went down her spine.

“Oh, that’s just Draco Malfoy. He’s a member of Slytherin house, and one of Professor Snape’s prized students. He’s such a nuisance really, but I would be careful what you discuss outside you quarters in the dungeons." Griselda sipped her wine. “You know the expression, ‘The walls have ears'?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that before," Emma said, still staring at the blonde boy.

“Well, the dungeons do. His father is Lucius Malfoy, and he is one of the most powerful Death Eaters there is. Just be careful, my dear. But then again, I don’t need to tell you that.“ She patted Emma’s knee. Lucius, Emma thought. She certainly had questions that needed to be answered.