Followers' Promise

Followers' Promise

Part Two in the Diary Series

By Phoenix SilverWind

Chapter One- Entry #1

Do I have to start with 'Dear Diary?' Is that normal? Is it girly? I'm not going to start it that way. I've decided to start keeping a journal for two reasons...

Last year (my first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry) I was sorted into Gryffindor (with my best friends Will Weasley and Rhiannon Malfoy) just like my dad and granddads. The sorting hat slipped though. It said that my mum had been a Slytherin. Now, I didn't know much about my mother but that came as quite a shock.

Let me explain. My mother, Kali Lupin-Potter, died when I was just a baby leaving my dad, Harry Potter, to raise me with help from friends and family. So I never really knew her and, up until my first year at Hogwarts, I still didn't know her. Not to say that I didn't try, because I did, a lot. My dad never talked about her. I think he still missed her a lot and it hurt him to remember her. Everyone else remained quiet out of a sort of respect for him. And it isn't that he kept everything about my mum from me. I knew that she had long, dark brown hair, blue eyes just like mine; she was really smart and really pretty, according to Dad. Everyone had something good to say about her, but I wanted to know more. What was her favorite sweet? What did her laugh sound like? Was she bad at anything? It probably sounds so stupid to you, but I wanted to know the details about my mum.

I got my chance to learn about her in September. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Kay Covington, had been her housemate and friend. After our first class, she asked me to stay after. When everyone left, she gave me a book, not just any book. This book was my mum's diary. Apparently, just before her death, she had written down things about herself and her life so that she wouldn't be forgotten. So that I would remember her.

But all that is nothing compared to what happened in November. First, I'd just like to mention that I believe my family to be cursed. Yes, Potters are a cursed lot. From what I've heard, we never seem to be able to have uneventful school years, not a single one. Even my mum's school days, after she spent more time with my dad, became plagued with mystery and the sort. Anyway, in November, I was kidnapped by a Death Eater, who turned out to be Timothy Nott. I'd never been more scared in my life. They kept me in a small bedroom. I must have paced that room a million times and, as I paced, I kept remembering what my family had told me.

"Stay calm," Granddad had told me. "Always keep a cool head and never panic."

"Know your environment," Sirius had advised. "Know every inch of your surroundings."

"Remember that I will always come after you, Thomas," Dad said, "No matter what they tell you, no matter what they do, I will always come to rescue you."

Even though we talked about the situations, I never thought that I'd actually get kidnapped. I thought I was going to be safe. I guess I should be grateful that everyone was a bit paranoid.

I really didn't have to wait too long in that room. Professor Covington, who turned out to be a Death Eater, came to take me to meet their new leader. It was my mum. Well it was the real Kay Covington in my mum's body and Professor Covington was my mum trapped in Covington's body, but I didn't find out all of this till after the battle between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix. Somehow, during that battle, the magic righted everything and returned my mum to her proper body, but I don't understand how exactly. I asked Granddad once, but he told me that he'll explain it to me when I was older and have a better understanding of magic.

The whole switch was really hard on Mum's body. She was in a coma till the beginning of summer. It took her another month to recover enough to be released from the hospital. It was kind of weird at first. I hadn't had a mother in twelve eleven years and she was unsure too.

"I'm sorry, Tom," she told me once, "I was the mother of a baby. I know how to be the mother of a baby, but you aren't an infant. You are a young man and I don't know how to be the mother of a young man."

She was still at St. Mungo's when she told me that. I felt so proud, because she thought I was a young man and not a kid. I had begun to get close to her again while she recuperated. I guess that's why it was hard for me when she moved into Lupin Manor instead of Godric's Hollow. I know it had hurt Dad, but he likes to keep to himself.

"It's not that I don't care for your father or that I doubt that he cares for me," Mum explained during a 'family meeting,' "It's just that after everything that has happened over the years, your father and I have become different people."

"And we think it is in everyone's best interests if we were to get a divorce," Dad finished.

After their divorce was finalized, Mum returned to the muggle world and proved that she was a descendant of the Little Hangleton Riddles. She said something about a jeantic... or genetic test. She inherited the Riddle house, the very same house Voldemort once used and the house I was trapped in. She spent the rest of summer fixing up the house and helping out the community. I even got to visit her over the summer and help her out.

Mum sighed, "I help them because I am in their debt. I help them because I am repaying them for everything my retched family has done to them over the years. It is the least I can do to make amends."

Will once asked me if I thought it was odd that my parents were divorced. I could honestly say no. I know everyone in the whole wizarding world thought that they'd just get back together and live happily ever after, but they didn't. Plus, 'happily ever afters' only exist in the muggle fairytales Aunt Hermione use to tell me when I was little.

I reckon my parents are better for it. If they say they have changed as much as they said they have then I think they have to start all over again, from the beginning. It isn't like I am suffering or anything. They both have joint custody over me and we have done thing as a family, like going to Diagon Alley for my school supplies. Dad doesn't mope about as much like he use to. He even laughs easier which made Sirius and Sara happy. And Granddad is loads better with Mum back.

Well, I better stop for now. The train is almost to Hogsmeade station.

Thomas Potter closed the black book, an exact replica of his mother's diary. It was a belated birthday present from her. He packed it away in his trunk and noticed that one of his best friends had closed her book as well.

"Ready for year two?" Rhiannon asked, as she smoothed her strawberry blonde hair.

Thomas smiled. "Can't be worse than last year!"

With a sigh, Will Weasley slammed his book. "Now, you've jinxed us, Thomas. Great job, mate."

"For a son of heroes," she said, "You sure are a fraidy cat."

"Am not!" he countered.

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Oh shut up, the lot of you," Thomas sighed, "Save some of the fighting for the rest of the year!"

"Ahem," came a soft voice from the doorway. The trio turned their full attention to the new occupant of their compartment.

It was a girl, about their age, with bright hazel eyes and dusty blonde hair that was pulled back by a barrette leaving only a straight line of bangs on her face.

She smiled sweetly. "If it is not too much trouble," she began, "Could any of you please direct me toward the snack trolley?"

"It's up in front with the conductor," Thomas answered straight away, "but we're almost at the station so there isn't enough time to get up there."

"Oh," she said quietly, her smile faltering slightly.

"Here," Will said suddenly as he pushed his last cauldron cake towards her; which surprised his best friends since they knew he was saving it for the sorting.

"Oh no, I couldn't," she waved it away.

"No, I, er, I really want you to have it," he said, his ear tips turning a violent shade of red.

She reached out and gingerly accepted the cake. With another bright smile she said, "Thank you, um..."

Will remained silent, too nervous to move.

"Will," Rhiannon piped up, "His name is Will."

A train whistle blew, signaling their approach to Hogsmeade. "I'd better go. It was nice meet you all and thank you for the cake, Will."

"You're, er, um, er, welcome," he stuttered.

She left and the compartment door closed after her. Not a moment later, Thomas and Rhiannon were clutched their sides and laughed.

"Our. Little. Will. Has. A crush!" Rhiannon gasped between laughs.

"Yeah," Thomas joined in, "He's growing up so fast!"

"I don't have a crush!" Will yelled at them. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at them, but it only caused them to laugh harder.

Chapter Two- Sorting Things Out

"I'm going to be late!" she said as she straightened her robes one more time. She stepped out of her office and began to walk quickly to the Great Hall.

"Kali?"

She turned around at the sound of her name. "Harry?"

He nodded. She was surprised to say the very least. She was already flustered from her imminent introduction to the whole school and seeing her ex-husband did not have a calming affect by any means. Shaking it off, she gave him a quick smile and regarded him properly.

"Auror Potter, it is nice to see you again," she greeted.

Remembering that they had to be professional incase students were to walk by he replied, "You too, Professor Lupin."

She blushed at her own title. Kali began to walk again and Harry followed. "I can't believe I'm actually a professor now. I'm so nervous."

"You'll do fine," he encouraged, "and I'm sure everyone will love you."

"I hope so," she said quietly. "So, what are you doing here?"

"McGonagall asked me to double check some of the wards for her."

"It's so odd," Kali confessed, "It isn't the same without Dumbledore here. McGonagall will do a fantastic job but..."

"Yeah..." They reached the doors and paused. Then, Harry leaned down, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Well, good luck, Professor," he said with a smile.

"Goodnight, Harry," she said with a similar smile tugging at her lips.

~*~*~*~

Will's ears had finally returned to their normal color as they took their seats at the Gryffindor table. "Hey guys," he whispered, "McGonagall's in the Headmaster's chair!"

Rhiannon rolled her eyes. "Are you really that oblivious?"

"No," he said quickly, "it's just weird I guess is all."

"If I were you," she told him, "I'd be worrying about the two empty seats and that new professor."

Thomas, along with Will, looked up at the head table to see that there were two empty seats and a new face.

"Snape's missing," Thomas observed.

"He's the new Deputy Headmaster," Will explained. "He's probably with the first years, poor buggers." Will pointed to the sandy blond haired man. "The other guy must be McGonagall's replacement."

Rhiannon scanned the table then scanned it again. "Where's your mum? She's supposed to be the new Defense professor, right?"

"I don't know, Rhiannon, maybe she's late."

As if that was the signal. Kali Lupin walked into the Great Hall and headed straight for the head table, pausing to flash a smile at her son and his friends. No sooner as she was in her seat, the heavy doors swung open and Snape entered leading a line of scared first years. Bringing out the stool and setting it before the school, Snape stepped back as the hat began to sing.

A thousand years ago I was created

By Godric, Helga, Rowena and Salazar

To sort and advise, unabated

Just trust in yourself and you will go far

In the noble house of Gryffindor

Bravery and Courage are favored here

And like young Godric of yore

They stand and face their fear

In the noble house of Hufflepuff

They favor hard work and loyalty

Not afraid to give more than enough

They treat their loved ones like royalty

In the noble house of Ravenclaw

Intelligence and cleverness is their notoriety

Their assignments are done without flaw

They are a true gift to society

In the noble house of Slytherin

Ambition and wit are their favorite things

Striving to do whatever to win

They climb to the top till they are like kings.

The trio sat there and watched with feigned interest, only talking when a familiar name came up.

"Hey Will," Thomas whispered as he elbowed his friend, "There's your dream girl."

The redness returned to his ears. "She isn't." he insisted.

"Nott, Elizabeth," Snape sneered.

At the sound of the last name, Thomas noticed that his mother had gone rigid and stared, unblinkingly, at the girl who slowly took the steps toward the Sorting Hat. He recognized her as the same girl who Will had given his cauldron cake to.

Nott, he thought to himself, why does that sound so familiar?

After a minute the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

Shaking the thought from his mind, he watched as Elizabeth calmly removed the hat and handed it back to Professor Snape and walked to the cheering table. Professor Lupin had calmed down, but still stared at the little blonde girl.

Thomas smiled at his redheaded friend. "A Weasley in love with a Slytherin," he joked, "Taking a page out of Aunt Ginny's book, I see." He waggled his eyebrow at the boy whose face was almost matching the color of his hair.

"Weasley, Amaryllis."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Weasley, Elizabeth."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Great," Will muttered under his breath, "We got the twin terrors."

Both girls ran and hugged their brother with crushing force. "WILL!" they giggled.

Blushing furiously, he awkwardly hugged them back before they found two open seats.

"Attention everyone, your attention please," Headmistress McGonagall said. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have just a few start of term announcements before we can begin the feast. First, the Forbidden forest is forbidden, just as its name suggests. Our caretaker, Mr. Flitch, has asked me to remind everyone that Weasley Wizard Wheezes are banned. Now, I would like everyone to help me in welcoming two new additions to the Hogwarts staff. First, I'd like to introduce you to Professor Kali Lupin."

Kali stood and smiled pleasantly. When the students clapped, she bowed slightly and took her seat.

"She will be taking over all of the Defense against the Dark Arts classes. Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to Professor Andrew Kirke."

He stood and he imitated what Kali had just done.

"He will be replacing me as your Transfiguration instructor as well as the Gryffindor's Head of House," she continued. "Now, let us eat."

~*~*~*~

After all the houses had filed out of the Great Hall, the teachers all said their 'goodnights' and retreated to their living quarters. Hermione had caught up with Kali and kept pace with her.

"Ready for tomorrow?" Hermione asked.

Kali sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

"What class do you have first?"

"Gryffindor and Slytherin second years," she said with a smile. "Just my luck."

Hermione laughed. "That is a tough start, but not to worry. They aren't as bad as we were back in the day."

Kali rolled her eyes. "We are not that old yet!"

~*~*~*~

After the feast all the Gryffindors, young and old, were waiting around in their common room in Gryffindor tower. They didn't have to wait for long, because a tall wizard had entered.

"Hi everyone. Don't worry, this meeting won't last long," he said with a genuine smile. "As most of you know, I'm Professor Andrew Kirke and I am your new Head of House. I was a Gryffindor from 1989 to 1996. I like to think that I am fairly approachable so if you ever have a problem, don't hesitate to come and see me." He sighed. "And I know that I can never replace Professor McGonagall, but I really hope you will give me a chance. I am really excited and I can't wait to get to know you all better." He grinned and added playfully, "Now off to bed with you lot! You have classes in the morning!"