Where There is Light, There is Shadow

Where There is Light, There is Shadow

Chapter 1: In Which a New DADA Professor is Considered, and Albus Gets a Surprise

There are some things that, despite any recent developments, remain unchanged, and the approach of a new school year at Hogwarts was one of those things. Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk, reviewing his mail with what one could only call mild panic -- that is, were there anyone there to see him in such a state. No, he had a reputation to maintain, thank you very much.

Two weeks until the start of term -- and still, no one had accepted the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Albus was, quite frankly, a little worried, especially after the fiasco with that Umbridge woman last year.

"Albus . . ."

The old wizard didn't hear the mirror -- he was too busy panicking.

"Albus Dumbledore!"

Mirrors rarely screamed at him -- but this was no ordinary mirror, even by wizarding standards. It was a communications device, working in a similar fashion to the Floo Network, except one couldn't travel through the mirror.

"You're panicking, Albus," said the gold-eyed woman in the mirror, smirking as the headmaster in question tried to gather his thoughts.

"You are correct, as always, Lia," Albus replied, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Still no DADA professor?"

Albus shook his head.

"We can always send over one of our people --"

"No. Lia, you know it's too dangerous. Annwn is considered a myth by the Ministry, and anyone claiming any association with your realm would, at best, be thrown in St. Mungo's. No, Lia," Albus sighed, "after what happened last year, I'm afraid I don't want to take any chances on that happening."

"Well, you could always ask someone there, but it seems you've tried that."

Damn that woman. "Yes, I have. There has been no response."

Lia's smirk only grew. "Have you tried asking Aiden?"

Albus stared at Lia. "No."

"Why not?"

"First of all, he wasn't that interested in DADA while he was here -- competent in his class, yes, but not interested in it. Secondly, he'd be twenty-two this year."

Lia's grin never wavered. "First of all, Albus, your potions master was nineteen when you hired him. And don't you dare cite special circumstances -- you still hired him. Second, did it ever dawn on you that maybe the reason Aiden wasn't interested in DADA was because he wasn't learning anything new?"

"You expect me to believe that an eleven-year-old already knew the entire DADA curriculum?"

"I expect you to believe me when I tell you the truth. Besides, what harm can it do? You've only had two competent DADA professors in the last five years -- there's not much that could harm their academic career now."

Albus paused, but it was only for effect, really. Lia knew she'd already won the argument.

"Fine. I'll contact Mr. Richter immediately."

"Excellent. Oh, and Albus . . ."

"Yes?"

Lia's smirk turned sinister. "Don't think we'll stay out of the war, this time. We have our citizens to protect, after all."

"Lia . . ."

"All I'm saying, Albus, is that you may want to keep your eyes open, and accept the help that's offered to you."

With that, the mirror went blank. Albus sat back in his chair, head in his hands.

"I hate that woman . . ."

"What woman?"

Albus turned around slowly, trying to recognize that voice. By the door stood a tall, unnaturally pale woman who looked vaguely familiar.

"You don't recognize me, do you?"

"I'm afraid not . . ."

The woman's lips twisted upwards in a predatory mockery of a grin -- a smirk which Albus definitely remembered.

"Katalin."

"Yes," she replied. "One would think you'd remember your old classmates better."

"Considering no one's seen you for decades, Katalin, you shouldn't be so surprised."

"Oh, I'm not. Besides, I only stopped by to tell you that you may want to drop by the hospital wing."

That got Albus' attention. "Whatever for?"

"Because I just got through fishing a live person out of the realm of the dead."

With that, Katalin vanished, leaving behind a rather shocked headmaster.