Chapter Text
What a curious thought, care in a wold like this?
“I haven’t poisoned that chocolate, you-”
“Is everyone alright?” A strange man swung himself against the doorway, surveying the faces of everyone in the compartment. Bending down to scoop up Trevor from his place on the ground, and handing it to Neville who’d reached out when he was picked up. He seemingly checked everyone from any injuries before his gaze landed on Professor Lupin.
“Oh, sorry didn’t mean to interrupt - I’ve been checking each compartment there seems to be a multitude of f- um, blasted dementors running about terrorizing the children.” he mutters the last part under his breath before his gaze finds me, “ Ah- I see you’ve given him some chocolate. Good, good. I had more in my pocket. Do you still need any?”
I hesitantly shook my head no, bewildered at the turn of events. My head spun slightly and I leaned against the nearest wall to steady myself.
“Ah, you need to sit - any run in with dementors’ll leave you shaken up.” completely flabbergasted, we all just watched in silence as he helped me sit down.
If there was a competition for the strangest part of this man either his American accent, or his eyes. Greens and blues swirled around each other creating vortexes and storms before dissipating back into a tranquil ocean. His outfit was also surprising, while he was wearing his robes they were over what seemed to be Muggle clothing.
Speaking of his clothing, he seemed surprised to feel the robes every time he turned, as if he hadn’t fully gotten used to wearing them.
I blink for a moment before eating a bite of the chocolate, a warm feeling spreading through me. The capability of joy seems to follow it, and for the first time since this mysterious new person entered Professor Lupin spoke up, “If you don’t mind me asking, who are you?”
Everyone in the compartment seemed transfixed on the almost animosity between the two, a tennis match of questions and answers.
“I’m a new Professor this year, I assume you’re Professor Remus - I’ve heard great things about you - you’re teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts yes?”
If Professor Lupin is teaching D.A.D.A then what on earth is this ‘new professor’ teaching - maybe he’s from the ministry. I shudder at the thought, can you imagine the ministry sending a teacher to work here?
I flick my eyes down his older, more torn robes, as judgemental as it feels I don’t think they would send someone with ripped clothing. I wince at my own thoughts, most people thought that of you before you went to almost every school before Hogwarts.
Lupin seemed bewildered and took a moment to think before speaking, “I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher - you still didn’t answer my question. Who are you?”
“Oh!” He smiled sheepishly for a moment, before sticking out his hand, “My name is Percy Jackson, this’ll be my first time teaching at Hogwarts as well.” Professor Lupin cautiously shook his hand before he straightened and looked back at us.
“The train will arrive in a few moments, get ready to leave. I’ll-” he cut off for a moment before stepping out in the hall with the new Professor, Professor Jackson, perhaps?
The door closed behind them and we were left all staring at the door, the compartment stayed silent for a moment more before Hermione spoke, her brow furrowed with thought, “A new professor? What will he even be teaching? My schedule's already so full-” she broke off muttering something about talking to McGonagall about adding a class.
“A new teacher with an American accent.” Ron stressed the two words almost derogatorily and turned to face me. “American Harry, why would Hogwarts need that?”
Confusedly I stare back at him, “Is there something wrong with him being American?”
His face flushed slightly, “You know how it is, they do different magic there,” he drops his voice down, and I lean in closer to hear, “I heard that they teach the kids to do wandless magic, even elemental magic.”
Neville from his place sitting spoke up for the first time since the incident, “That’s mostly rubbish from what I’ve heard, he seemed nice enough to me.” In his hands he still tightly held Trevor, and I ignored the slight tremor in his hands as I was apparently the only person that passed out.
Hermione chimed in, “There’s nothing wrong with wandless magic Ron, it’s just more difficult.” She turns to me, “Harry the main reason that I’ve read about for the animosity between American wizards is they don’t care about bloodlines.” She pauses for a moment, hesitating with the rest of her sentence.
“Well, out with it! Share with the class!”
She sent a look in Ron’s direction before continuing, “They also used to, hunt werewolves for sport, but that was ages ago, and from what I’ve heard they’re now one of the most unified groups against werewolf hunting. But you’ll find some odd ones here and there.”
During her dwindling speech Ron gestured as if he’d won the argument, “See? They aren’t like us.” He collapsed back into his seat with a drooping frown on his face.
“Well at least they progressed, if you’re a werewolf here oftentimes people won’t hire you. It’s a bunch of prejudice I say.”
She sighed before settling into a seat, staring out the window that was starting to blur past once again. Life felt a little more joyous at the movement of the train, finally going home heading again.
Shakily, I grab my wand from where it dropped, sitting back down in my seat - the numb feeling from earlier almost completely gone but my energy was completely spent. “Aw, Harry, you don’t look so good. You should probably finish the chocolate that he gave you before we arrive.”
I sighed before biting in, once again happiness felt slightly more reachable than it had a moment before and I made quick work of the rest of the chocolate.
Completely more aware of the motion of the train, it seemed everyone was lost in thought until we slowed once again. There was a slight tension when it started slowing the second time, but it was quickly released when we saw Hagrid's figure with a lantern outside the train.
Gathering our things and out the door we went. Ignoring the jabs from Malfoy, I rolled my eyes whilst holding Ron back, thankful for Professor Lupin’s intervention.
“Potter and Granger! I need you in my office.” Me and Hermione looked over to where Professor McGonagall was on opposite stairs, and we paused for a minute to make eye contact. Waving Ron ahead after making him promise to save us some seats. Trepidation slithered itself against my veins as we stepped back to her office. Did we do something wrong?
“Are you quite alright Harry?” immediately the anxiety fled, instead embarrassment took its place and I felt my face flush, so I was the only one to faint.. “I received two letters concerning you falling ill on the train. Nonetheless I called Madam-” a knock on the door interrupts her and in stepped another strange man, this time dressed in the proper robes.
His slight confidence almost immediately vanished at the sight of us, and he paused for a moment before speaking.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, I can come back another time. I just had a question of where I should sit.” His accent was obviously British but it had softened around the edges, like he’d traveled and spent some time in the states or somewhere similar recently.
My and Hermione stood transfixed, three new professors? In one year, that’s basically unheard of, “Oh no, you’re quite alright, Professor Grace,” she hesitated slightly when adding ‘professor’ before his name almost indiscernibly so, is anyone used to calling people by professor? Is that a rule that they can not do that around students? ” I was just waiting for- ah, perfect Madam Pomfrey could you check over Harry here?”
At my name the man shifted his gaze to me, concern tinting his eyes “is he alright, Per- uh, Professor Jackson told me that there had been dementors on the train is that true?”
She hesitated for only a moment before responding, “Yes, Professor Grace there were dementors on the train.” His brows furrowed and he opened his mouth to speak before, tightly closing it and giving a pursed smile.
From a second doorway in walked Madam Pomfrey, who started muttering about dementors around a school, bustling around and taking my temperature.
“I hope everyone is alright, I’ll be in the Hall - don’t worry I’ll ask Sev- uh, Professor Snape where to sit.” He stepped around the door and softly closed it behind him. Dang he must be new. I've never heard a professor do first names that many times You really have to comment nastily on every person you meet don’t you?
With the door closed Professor McGonagall sighed for a moment before turning to Madam Pomfrey, who’d been fussing around me for a moment “do you believe he’ll need the night in the hospital wing?”
I vehemently protested, and when offered chocolate I denied, “I already had some, Professor Lupin gave me some and then -” I furrow my brow trying to remember what the second professor's name was, “I think it was professor jack? Or something like that who also offered me some afterwards.”
Madam Pomfrey gave a slight smile, “ah, that Jackson fellow is a kind man,” she snaps back into her regular persona and barks out, “and I’m glad to hear that we have a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that knows his remedies.” She mutters about incompetent teachers for a moment before packing the rest of her things in her small bag.
“If you feel as though you’re fine Harry, then you can head along to the Great Hall, I just need a moment to speak with Hermione about her schedule.”
I step into the hall for a moment, leaning my head against the wall as I wait. Three new professors is insane . You could vaguely hear the people in the Great Hall from where I was standing, What could they possible be talking about that’s taking this-
“Ready! Let’s go.” Hermione’s voice startles me out of my wonderings and we fast walk down the corridor to the Great Hall.
Oh, we missed the sorting, slight disappointment curled into me as we slid into our seats next to Ron. I started whispering about the third mysterious new professor but Professor Dumbledore standing up caught my attention, and I waved off Ron mouthing ‘later.
On the stand of teachers sat the three I met earlier, Professor Jackson - I think - was sitting next to both Snape, and Hagrid, having what looked to be a very animated conversation. His black tousled hair, even messier than on the train - that he seemingly nervously kept running his hands through.
Sitting a few seats away, having a buffer of Flitwick and a few others, sat the one from the office, and he seemed to be having an intense conversation with Professor Lupin. Curiously he kept leaning forward almost as if he was smelling something? Or perhaps he was trying to hear what Lupin was saying.
I got pulled from my musings as Dumbledore briefly explained the dementors’ purpose here and a slight fury filled me momentarily, Here on Ministry of Magic business? What could they possible want from a school?
“Not to leave on a terrible note as such, I am pleased to welcome four new professors this year.” Murmurred gasps left the mouths of almost everyone in the hall, four? Who could the fourth be?
“First, Professor Lupin, who will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, he has accepted even with the horrible track record these past years.” The applause was only as much as necessary, clearly more coming from the Gryffindoor table. As tales of him in the train had spread there much faster.
Ron nudged my arm and I leaned in to hear him, “Snape’s got a nasty look on his face.” I turned to squint at the potions teacher and true enough he had an awful look on his face. To the confusion of Professor Jackson who sat next to him.
Seemingly startling Snape out of his fury with a barrage of talking.
Utter disdain, loathing even. Almost startled I turned back to Ron with a bewildered look, “Why would he look so-” Unable to find the words I gesture in front of me.
Ron shrugs before turning his attention back to Dumbledore, “Second, with great sadness do I say that Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, had retired last year - something along the lines of wanting to spend more time with his extremities as much as he could.” A laugh tittered through the hall, and I found myself grinning at some of the first years’ shocked expressions.
He paused for a moment before continuing, “However, I’m excited to reveal that he will be replaced by none other than Rebeus Hagrid - who’ll take this position along with his gamekeeping duties.”
A shocked wave went through the crowd before applause exploded across every table, in particular yet again the Gryffindor table and from our position we watched as Hagrid, flushed completely red, and was staring at his hands.
Gryffindor table started pounding on the table in agreement, and Hermione, Ron and Harry were the last to stop clapping, and we watched as Hagrid brushed his face off on the tablecloth. Professor Jackson beside him, let out a wide smile and seemed to say something, which made Hagrid let out a shaking laugh.
Grins danced across our faces, murmurs of excitement didn’t die down for a while - until of course Professor Dumbledore lifted his hand.
“And the last two, but certainly never the least, are our two new professors, Professor Jackson,” the man from the train waved at this, pulling away from his conversation next to Hagrid, and Snape, his face flushed a violent red. “, and Professor Grace,” the man from McGonagall’s office did a short wave before turning back to Professor Lupin and continuing his conversation, which from the looks of it had turned mostly friendly.
“They’ve been asked to teach a new subject this year, along with being on-hand, staff for any teacher leave that may occur in the duration of the year.”
Confused whispers spread across the room, “That’s weird isn’t it, having someone on hand to take over a class.” Ron’s voice was substantially louder than most on the table and me and Hermione rushed to lower our voices before responding.
“It’s pretty normal where I grew up, muggle schools have substitute teachers all the time.”
Hermione nodded in her agreement, “I’ve been quite surprised at the lack of substitute teachers around Hogwarts myself, there’s almost no reprieve from teaching.”
Dumbledore once again waited for the whispers to cease before continuing, “With that I’ve said one too many words. Everything of importance is over. Let us feast!”
The food appeared in front of us as magical and amazing as the first time as always and we dug in. The hall echoed with laughter and people’s reenactments of their summer adventures. Ron, Hermione and I eagerly awaited the end of the feast, as that’s when we could talk to him.
And perhaps we could be introduced to the new Professors.
But after the last of all the deserts were fought over and won, it was announced that it was time to head to our dormitories. Only able to briefly talk to Hagrid we ran out to meet the rest of the house. We’ve been late to knowing the password before and it never ends well for us.
We wave to the singing lady as we walk in the dormitory, and I take in what feels like the first fresh breath of air since I left last here.
It’s good to be home.