The Last Sanguimagus

Sarah felt her eyes glazing over as she struggled to pay attention to Silas as he continued to speak loudly to the assembled instructors at the staff luncheon about teaching at some of the most exclusive schools and households of Wizarding Britain. Even Dumbledore seemed hard-pressed to keep an interested expression on his face--the new Defence teacher had been talking for nearly fifteen minutes without interruption. She took another sip of water and tried to shift slightly, which brought a new round of pain and took her attention away entirely for a moment. Silas must have finished at that minute, because Minerva was saying, "Quite so, and now let's give Albus the floor, shall we?" and everyone was turning expectantly towards the Headmaster.

Dumbledore smiled, looking very much at ease. She was impressed by the tight control he exhibited at all times. The power he had was nothing short of awe-inspiring, yet here he was, at a school, teaching children. She picked up the goblet again and took another sip, and found that her water had turned itself to some sort of cloyingly sweet juice. She grimaced. Someone's idea of a trick? she wondered to herself, and took a surreptitious glance around. Perhaps it was just an exuberant house elf, horrified that she would drink plain water.

"This year, we will face many challenges," said Dumbledore. "I trust that you will all support one another in all our endeavours. Do not hesitate to come to me for further assistance. My office is always open to all of you." He lifted his goblet. "To Hogwarts--another year of dreams fulfiled."

"Here, here!" called out the rest of the teachers. Sarah raised her goblet with the rest of them, and took another sip of the juice. Really, it was odd--how had it been switched? She tried to think of the proper incantation, but Transfiguration had been one of her poorer subjects, and she couldn't remember it.

"I see you were thirstier than you originally believed," said Filius Flitwick next to her.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, confused.

"Your water, perhaps, was not to your liking?" he continued with a hint of a smile.

She looked at the goblet, and realised she'd picked up his pumpkin juice by mistake. "Oh, I'm so terribly sorry."

He waved dismissively. "Don't worry, Sarah. A simple enough error."

"I would like you all to double-check the final timetable before you leave the hall," continued the Headmaster. "Please be very certain that the classes are laid out to your satisfaction. If there are any last complaints"--he looked at Silas--"they should be directed to Minerva. And one last mention. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, will be visiting the school very soon at the behest of the Board of Governors. I'm certain that you will all do everything in your power to make him feel welcome."

Minerva looked at him askance. "Fudge? Here? Whatever for?"

"Some of the members of the Board have been replaced recently," answered Dumbledore. "The new members are asking questions, and they have demanded that Fudge personally investigate the answers."

"Will he be looking into the background of current instructors?" asked Silas innocently. Sarah narrowed her eyes. What was he playing at? She noticed Severus staring at the Defence teacher with the same expression.

"I believe that he will be checking the wards and defensive spells of Hogwarts itself, to ascertain their thoroughness," said Dumbledore. "It is of paramount importance that our children be safe here, after all."

"When will he be here?" asked Filius.

"Quite soon. Most likely within the week." He took one last look at the assembled teachers. "And that concludes our staff luncheon. I will see you all at the Sorting Ceremony tonight. If you will excuse me, I have a few last-minute matters to attend to." He turned and walked out of the hall, the silver stars on his robes gleaming in the midday sun.

Looking around the table, Sarah noticed that Minerva looked worried and cross at the same time. Silas approached the Transfigurations professor with a small piece of parchment and Sarah could hear him saying something about a free period. Sarah picked up her goblet and took another sip of water. The little that she'd been able to eat was not sitting well. Filius and Pomona were talking in disgruntled tones on her right about Fudge, and on her left Aurora was studiously examining a raspberry scone. Severus suddenly stood up and strode out of the hall, which was the cue for several of the other teachers as well. She took one last sip of water and followed their lead. She was not able to completely suppress worried thoughts about the Minister's visit. If he found out her secrets--if he knew--she was not certain that Dumbledore could protect her from the immediate dismissal that she guessed would follow. She sighed and continued her slow progress, stepping into the entrance hall. Tonight would be exhausting.

***

Harry disembarked from the Hogwarts Express and drank in the wonderful sight of Hogwarts. For a moment all of his worries and sadness melted away, and he was just Harry, happy to be home again. He heard the familiar voice of Hagrid calling out "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

Ginny was pulling her trunk along determinedly. "Where have Hermione and Ron gone?"

"I don't know," answered Harry. "Let's find a carriage." Ginny nodded at him, but suddenly her expression became grim. Draco and his pet thugs Crabbe and Goyle were walking by silently. He steeled himself for their usual name-calling and insults, but was surprised when he only received an icy glare.

His father must still be in Azkaban, he realised. With a grin he turned back to Ginny, who raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, there you are Harry!" said Hermione breathlessly. "Ron's gotten a carriage--let's go--" Without another word Harry and Ginny followed her. The thestrals stood at the front of each carriage, watching him with their blank white eyes. He wondered which one had taken him and Dumbledore to Diagon Alley. Ron was standing outside the next carriage, and he helped them load their luggage in.

"I'm starved!" said Ron, settling into his seat.

"I still can't believe they made Colin Creevey a prefect," moaned Hermione once the door was shut. "Honestly, what were they thinking?"

"Are you still going on about that?" grumbled Ron.

"And why not Ginny?" she continued, ignoring him. "Why this Carolina girl? She doesn't seem the prefect type."

Harry looked at Ginny, who said, "Oh, enough about that prefect nonsense. I just want to hear a new Sorting Hat song and have some dinner."

Hermione looked a little shocked at Ginny's comment, but said nothing more about prefects.

"I hope we get some good players at the tryouts," said Ron. "With two spots open we'll need some good flyers."

"We need new Chasers," said Harry thoughtfully. "I wonder who's going to try out."

Hermione looked distinctly bored as they continued their discussion, racking their brains for any Gryffindors who could sit a broom well. The carriage came to a halt, and they all piled out, Ron still arguing heatedly that a Chaser was no where near as important as a Keeper. They pulled their luggage into the entrance hall and left it there.

"Really, any git who can stay on their broom for more than a minute can be a Chaser," said Ron loftily.

"Stuff it!" hissed Ginny. "Did you forget I was trying out for Chaser?"

Ron looked stricken. "Oh, sorry, Gin, I didn't mean--"

"Shhh!" said Hermione irritably. They went into the hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table between the Creevey brothers and Lavender Brown. Harry immediately scanned the staff table. As usual, Professor Flitwick was deep in conversation with Professor Sprout, with Professor Sinistra leaning forward to add in her comments. Professor Snape sat next to them, coldly surveying the hall. Professor McGonagall's chair next to Dumbledore's was empty, as she was probably shepherding the first years from the boats.

"There's Professor Marten," said Hermione. "That must be the Talismans instructor next to him."

Harry looked next to the ginger-haired man and saw a rather unremarkable witch dressed in charcoal grey robes sitting stiffly in her chair. She seemed indifferent to the noise and bustle echoing in the Great Hall. She held her left arm close to her body, and as Harry watched she reached out and picked up a goblet with her right hand, taking a small sip.

"She looks...unwell," said Hermione hesitantly.

"She looks boring, is what she looks like," said Ron. "Aw, bring on the Hat already, I'm starving!"

"A little decorum, if you please," said Nearly Headless Nick.

"After I eat!" said Ron.

"We could only be so lucky," muttered Hermione. Harry nearly laughed but managed to suppress it.

Suddenly the hall grew silent, and Harry turned to see McGonagall leading in the first years. As they filed past, he couldn't help but think again how small they seemed. He remembered how scary the Sorting Hat had looked, and the fear that he might be put in Slytherin...

McGonagall placed a stool in front of the line of first years, and the Sorting Hat on that, stepping back. A rip near the brim of the hat suddenly opened, and Harry leaned closer, waiting for the song.

A thousand years I've sorted here,

By the Founding Four's decree;

I've sorted you into the proper House,

It's where you belong, you see.

But now we've stepped on dangerous ground;

I've seen the dark rise anew,

And trouble us with strife

While hopes remain too few.

But if you stand together strong

And keep your hearts good and true,

You'll triumph over all once more

And earn yourself all that's due--

Ron elbowed Harry. "Oh, no! Peeves!" he whispered, pointing at the poltergeist, who was circling above them with what suspiciously looked like inkwells in his hands.

"He wouldn't dare disrupt a Sorting Ceremony," hissed Hermione. "Look, the Bloody Baron's seen him."

True enough, the Slytherin ghost was looking balefully at Peeves, who suddenly flew off. The hall broke out into applause, and McGonagall called the first name out.

"He's gotten too bold," said Hermione in a low voice. "Last year's business with Umbridge has gone to his head."

"Great," said Ron darkly. "Just what we need. More Peeves."

Nearly Headless Nick shushed them irritably, and clapped enthusiastically as the next student was assigned to Gryffindor. Harry found himself looking at the head table again, and noticed that Snape was staring at the new Talismans teacher with a very odd expression on his face. Ron's stomach rumbled and distracted him.

McGonagall read off the last name, and the young girl visibly trembled as the Hat was placed upon her head. "Slytherin!" it called out, and the Slytherins cheered.

Dumbledore stood up, and Ron picked up his knife and fork in happy anticipation. "Let the feast begin!" proclaimed the Headmaster.

Suddenly the plates began to fill with food. Harry smiled at the gasps of the newcomers. Everything looked delicious. He filled his goblet with pumpkin juice and began to fill his plate. Ron began to stuff his face so rapidly that Hermione became alarmed and threatened to hex him.

Harry filled his plate as many times as he could, until he had finished the last of his chocolate gateau. He was so full he wasn't sure he could ever eat again. Ron sat back with a completely contented look on his face. Harry looked up, and smiled at Hagrid, who waved back.

Dumbledore stood up, and the small amount of chatter ended. "And now, the start-of-term notices. First years must remember that the Forbidden Forest is just that--forbidden. Mr. Filch demands that I remind you of the list of items that are not permitted in the castle. You can read it for yourself, as it is tacked to the door of his office, and most of the corridor next to it as well.

"I would like to bring your attention the new staff appointments. We are delighted to introduce a special visiting teacher, Professor Tanner, who will be instructing sixth and seventh years in the art of creating talismans. We would also like to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Marten."

The students clapped politely. Unexpectedly, Professor Marten got to his feet. "Thank you all," he said brightly. "I have taught at many exclusive Wizarding schools here in Britain, and I daresay you'll all find my instruction satisfactory, as I am a fully qualified Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. I look forward to teaching all of you, and I must thank Headmaster Dumbledore for providing me with this opportunity." He sat back down. Snape stared at him with an expression of distaste. Professor Tanner had not moved a muscle.

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, surprised that, again, a new teacher had actually spoken up.

"He has to say that," said Hermione in a low voice, "because of you, Harry. He wants everyone to know that he's the only instructor...I think he's going to be trouble."

"Time to go," said Colin Creevey brightly. "We have to show the first years how to find Gryffindor Tower. Isn't this great?"

Ron sighed. "Great, yeah."

Harry stood up and looked at Ginny, who was yawning. He, too, was feeling distinctly tired, and as he stood there, he could suddenly feel something reaching out to him, a feeling of cold, dark power--

"Harry, are you ready?" asked Ginny. "We might as well go to our dorms."

He couldn't help but worry. What could Voldemort see through him? Could he see his friends? Would he find his weak points and use them against him? A chill burst of anxiety gripped him, and as he followed Ginny to the Gryffindor common room, he wondered again if it was worth it, if putting everyone he loved in danger just so that he could be at Hogwarts wasn't tremendously selfish after all.

***