Where There is Light, There is Shadow

Chapter 2: In Which the New Term Starts, and the DADA Professor Finally Arrives

Harry Potter was, all things considered, glad to be back at Hogwarts, despite the paranoia that gripped the wizarding world ever since the Ministry had finally admitted to Voldemort's return. Still, the last thing he expected upon entering the castle was to be sent to the Hospital Wing.

Professor Snape, of all people, had pulled him aside, apparently at Dumbledore's request. Snape looked more tired and bitter than ever, and stopped well away from the Hospital Wing.

"Go on, Potter. I'm sure you remember the way well enough." Snape turned to go.

"Professor?"

"You might want to hurry up, or you'll miss the feast."

Harry blinked, startled at the almost kind tone, then looked around in some surprise. Snape had already vanished.

"Harry?" Madam Pomfrey stood by the door. "Come on in, but you can only stay for a few minutes."

By this point, Harry was thoroughly confused. He let Madam Pomfrey guide him over to a small room in the back of the wing, barely listening to what she was saying.

" . . . so few people manage to survive, it's such a treacherous place for the living . . ."

What? A strange weight, half-excitement and half-dread, settled in Harry's stomach. She's not saying what I think she's saying . . .

Madam Pomfrey opened the door, shoving Harry gently inside. He froze as he saw who was laying unconscious on the bed.

"Sirius . . ."

"Yes, dear. Weren't you listening?"

Harry blushed. "Not really, Madam Pomfrey."

"Oh. Well, you have to get to the feast. The headmaster thought you should know that Mr. Black is here, though, and alive."

"What happened?" Harry said, shock settling over him like an icy blanket.

Madam Pomfrey blinked. "Well, I'm not entirely sure. About two weeks ago, some strange woman brought him in and told me that she'd dragged him out of the Spectral Realm. When I asked the headmaster, he confirmed her story, and asked me to make sure Mr. Black was okay."

"Is he?"

"As well as can be expected. And before you ask, no one here is going to turn him in. As it is, only you, Headmaster Dumbledore, the woman who brought him in, and myself know he's here. Come now, you've missed yet another sorting."

Harry, still numb with shock, allowed himself to be led out. Something about what Madam Pomfrey had said nagged at him, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out what was wrong.

He was at the Great Hall before he realized it (the sorting was just finishing, he realized), and he moved to sit by Ron and Hermione, automatically glancing up at the head table.

"Who's the new DADA professor?" he asked Ron, looking at the empty chair.

"Dunno. Whoever it is hasn't shown up yet, according to Dumbledore."

"Well," Hermione began, "I'm sure there's any number of reasons . . ."

A faint tapping sound caught her attention, and she turned towards the entrance to the Great Hall. "He could just be late," Hermione finished as a young wizard entered the room, a thin cane held out in front of him.

Harry looked up at the head table again. Dumbledore seemed to be the only one who expected the strange wizard to show up; all the other professors were in various states of shock. Snape looked particularly surprised -- he was bone-white and staring rigidly ahead.

"What d'you suppose is wrong with Snape?" asked Harry.

"I'm not sure. He doesn't look angry. He looks . . ." Hermione fumbled for the right word.

"Shocked?" asked Ron dryly.

Hermione's only response was a glare.

By this point, the unidentified wizard had reached the head table and was talking softly with Dumbledore. As the headmaster stood to start the announcements, Professor McGonagall grasped the newcomer by the elbow and led him to the empty seat.

"Before we eat, I have a few start-of-term notices. First of all, I hope you will all welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Aiden Richter." The newcomer nodded slightly from his seat.

"As for other notices . . ."

Harry listened with one ear to Dumbledore's opening speech. He, and just about everyone else in the room, was too busy observing the new DADA professor to care about the Forbidden Forest being forbidden and Filch's new list of banned items.

"Something's . . . off," Harry remarked.

"About what?"

"If you're referring to the new professor, he's blind," said Neville.

Hermione smacked herself in the head. "Of course!"

"How'd you know that?" Ron asked.

Neville smiled faintly. "My aunt's blind, too."

Harry looked at them curiously. "Can't blindness be healed?"

"Not necessarily," Neville replied. "Some injuries can't be healed, and eye injuries are among the hardest to work with. Why else do you think so many wizards wear glasses?"

"Oh," said Harry, turning to look at the new professor again.