(no subject)
Name: Recipe for Lycanthropy
Author: Lexie-smith
Beta: me and Punkw1tch
Rating: 12+ some bad language and other things...
About: it runs with PoA, and contains bits from the books (which do not belong to me I'm just burrowing them and am only writing for fun not for profit so no suing please)
pairings: Remus/OC please don't read this if you hate OC's ok, but it was my idea and I've gone with it, nothing more nothing else. But a little intro is what is needed. There is not only two new teachers starting this year but a third, and she has her only little story....
enjoy!
Chapter one- accidents and arrivals
The girl sat on the cold stone floor, her golden coloured curls falling over her face as she sobbed, loud and hard. She looked up and slowly saw the metal bars in front of her move gradually to the side with a dreadful screeching sound as they were pulled across the stone flags.
The darkness on the other side of the giant metal cage scared the girl as she began to crawl slowly backwards into bars behind her; she knew what was waiting for her on the other side of the cage, if only she had her wand.
Her tears slipped down her cheeks as she heard the screeching of more bars been pulled from the cage, there was a low rumbling growl and a pair of deep purple eye surrounded by yellow shone in the darkness. A clawed paw stepped into the moon-lit part of the girl’s side of the cage.
The girl looked up in horror at the black beast towering over.
“h-h-help” she said softly “help please” barely a whisper “HELP!” and the werewolf lunged.
****
Athena woke with a start as the engines of the train began to slow; she looked down at her watch. They shouldn’t have arrived yet.
She wiped the window with the sleeve of her tatty purple robes, the squeaking noise sounded louder in the empty carriage where she sat alone. Something was moving outside; her eyes could detect dark shapes.
The train suddenly jolted to a stop and her luggage fell from its rack. The lights suddenly went out plummeting Athena into darkness. She muttered “Lumos” and headed for the door, the light flickering around her but the door opened before her hand had even reached the handle. A tall hooded figure in black robes stood before her. It took in a long rattling breath, and Athena remembered her dream. She pointed her wand at the dementor “Sirius Black is not here!” she said her wand tip glowing brighter “Now be gone!” the dementor began to shrink back, sensitive to light, drifting back down the corridor.
Athena waited for the lights to come back on and for the train to begin to move before she left the compartment. She pulled back the door and stepped out just as someone strode into the side of her.
Athena knocked the person into the window opposite, as she herself fell backwards against the closed door of the compartment.
“Sorry” she muttered rubbing the back of her head with her eyes shut.
“No it was my fault” said a hoarse voice “I was in my own little world”
Athena opened her eyes and standing before her, was a tall man wearing shabby robes he had light brown hair with the occasional grey streak. His face was tired but his eyes looked young in years.
“I should’ve looked” she said tucking some of her blonde curls behind her ear.
The man smiled “Remus Lupin” he held out his hand.
“Athena Grey-” she hesitated “you must be the new defence against the dark arts teacher?”
He nodded “and I’m guessing that you’re too old to be a student”
“I’m Hagrid’s new care of magical creature’s assistant” she smiled letting his hand go.
Remus Lupin smiled “I was on my way to see the driver”
“I don’t know what Gary can do to help” said Athena shrugging and folding her arms.
“I was actually going to borrow his owl” said Remus amused by her sudden implication.
“Oh” said Athena shamefully.
“It was a pleasure meeting you but I have news to send to the castle” Remus Lupin moved past her.
“I’m just going to check on the students” she pointed towards the way he came.
He nodded and hurried off. Athena walked away from her compartment but she stopped in her tracks. Her nose flared. She smelt something. Something she hadn’t smelt in years.
***
The train pulled into Hogsemead station, Athena weaved in and out of the students with her luggage. She climbed into the large black carriage, smiling to the large Thestral. The creatures were fascinating in their own way; she loved being maybe one of fifty others who could see them. But then again all dark creatures loved each other.
The carriage pulled to a stop outside the castle. Athena gazed up at it her sea blue eyes searching the many towers and turrets, she hadn’t been here in three years it felt like more to her as she made her away inside.
Athena walked casually down the deserted corridor towards the office of Albus Dumbledore. She rounded the corner and there he was walking dreamily towards her- almost coincidently. Athena placed down her suitcase and backpack.
“Athena” said Dumbledore holding out his arms his eyes twinkled behind his glasses they matched his sapphire robes. “Welcome back”
“Hello Albus” said Athena “it’s great to be home”
Dumbledore looked Athena over; she still looked like her younger self with her baggy, worn jeans and tatty purple robes with purple converse that had shoelaces with faded grey dragons on.
“Allow me to show you to your room” he said taking hold of her jade coloured backpack.
“Its fine Albus I can manage” and she hastily took the bag from him and picked up her suitcase that was bound shut with two leather belts.
Albus nodded and he led her down a couple of corridors. They stopped in a deserted corridor that Athena remembered; it rounded another bend to Minerva McGonagall’s office and room and also to the stairs that led to Gryffindor tower.
“Your room and office” said Albus opening the door they’d stopped outside opposite sat an alcove with a blue and white china vase sat on a pedestal.
Athena stepped inside the room and her face fell. The room was tiny; it had a single bed pushed up against the far wall with a bedside table. Behind the door sat a wooden desk. Against the opposite wall to the bed sat a large fireplace that over powered the room in front of the fire place was a small table with two chairs. A window was placed opposite the door with a chest of drawers to the left over the top was a mirror. The room was a soft yellow colour with cream bed sheets and chair covers.
“It’s lovely” said Athena turning to meet Dumbledore’s smiling face.
“I’m sorry about the size of the room” sighed Dumbledore “Professor Kettleburn only used the room as a place to store papers; he used to sleep in a tent in the grounds…except in the winter”
Athena had to keep herself from saying ‘I can see why’
She hung her backpack over the chair and dumped her suitcase on the bed.
“We should be getting to the great hall” said Dumbledore.
Athena nodded and followed him out.
“I’m happy that you decided to take the job” said Dumbledore as they walked towards the great hall.
“When you said Hagrid was teaching and he didn’t mind having an assistant I was more than happy to take the job” said Athena “I didn’t think you’d pick me though”.
“You were an outstanding student in both OWL and NEWT year, why not select you” said Dumbledore.
“You know why Albus” said Athena she stopped and searched his face “it was good though to hear that Severus could make the potion”.
Dumbledore nodded.
Footsteps echoed down the hall and Minerva McGonagall hurried round the corner clutching a letter.
“Headmaster” she said “Remus has sent an owl saying that Potter was taken ill on the train…Remus says he’s sorted him out but I’m going to have Poppy take a look at him” she didn’t acknowledge Athena’s presence.
Albus nodded his head agreeing with Minerva “I’ll have Filius cover the sorting while you speak to Harry and Miss Granger”
Minerva nodded she turned and saw Athena standing down “well…well, I thought you’d be late…you always were for my classes anyway” she muttered.
“Great to see you too Minerva” Athena was once a badly behaved Gryffindor girl “but I’ve grown up a lot since then”
Minerva looked her over just like Dumbledore had done but her lips twisted as she noted the shabby clothes and battered shoes, she nodded to Dumbledore and hurried away.
“She hasn’t changed a bit” said Athena sarcastically
Dumbledore smiled as he led the way back to the great hall.
She took her seat two down from Dumbledore’s, she would be joined either side by Hagrid and Minerva. She felt strange watching the students, she was now a teacher and her student days were long gone but she still felt odd sat at the staff table.
She looked to her right and saw, Professor Snape (ah she’d failed potions), Madam Pince and Professor Sinistra who were all old teachers. To her right was Albus, followed by Professor Flitwick, the man she’d met on the train Remus Lupin, after him was Professor Sprout, an empty seat, then Madam Hooch, Professor Vector and last of all Professor Burbage.
Athena watched the sorting quietly. She’d remembered her sorting, as everyone remembered did, the hat had told her that she was a bit of a trouble maker but noble at heart and mind, so she was placed in Gryffindor to Minerva’s joy.
Hagrid had now taken his seat he turned to her his beetle black eyes glistening in the floating candle light, his hair and beard were both wet from the rain, but he still looked like Hagrid.
“Little Athena Grey” he beamed “who’d ‘ave thought you’d be workin’ with me”
“Who’d have thought that I’d be the assistant to the care of magical creatures’ teacher, and the teacher turned out to be you” she beamed.
He beamed back “good to ‘ave yeh back” he said they were good friends from when Athena went to school at Hogwarts three years ago.
Professor McGonagall took her seat as did Madam Pomfrey down the table, and two Gryffindor students.
Dumbledore stood up and the whole hall fell silent, Dumbledore’s presence was like a giant candle, he illuminated the entire room.
“Welcome!” he said “welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…” he cleared his throat “as you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban who are here on ministry of magic business” Dumbledore paused, he seemed a little tense about dementors been here “they are stationed at every entrance to the grounds and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguise-or even invisibility cloaks” he added “it is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to out prefects and our head boy and girl to make sure that no student runs foul of the dementors”
Dumbledore looked round at the students seriously.
“On a happier note I am pleased to welcome not, one but three new teachers to our rank this year” he continued “firstly professor Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the post of defence against the dark arts” Remus Lupin stood up and there was a scattered applause, he looked quite pale as he sat down. “As to our second new appointment” Albus carried on as the applause died away “well I am sorry to say that Professor Kettleburn, our care of magical creatures teacher retired at the end of last year in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs” Athena gulped “however I am delighted to say that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rebeus Hagrid” Hagrid stood up knocking over his drink, as the applause sounded round the hall mainly from the Gryffindor table. The applause died down slowly.
"And please allow me to introduce the third new professor, the youngest we have had for a long time, she will be helping Professor Hagrid with his lessons, please welcome Professor Grey” Athena stood up and smiled, she received two wolf whistles from two red hair twin boys. She sat back down feeling a little embarrassed but happy that Dumbledore had called her Grey like in her school days.
“I don’t understand why Dumbledore employed her and Hagrid?” said Ron as he clapped
“Maybe it’s to make sure that Hagrid can handle himself?” suggested Hermione
“What makes you think that?” asked Harry as the clapping died
“Maybe Dumbledore hasn’t forgotten about Norbert” was all Hermione said as the feast began.
****
“I’m not sure Hagrid maybe we should start smaller” said Athena she was stood outside of Hagrid’s hut, dressed in similar clothes to the day before but instead they were green, she still though had her golden natural curls. They were preparing their first lesson
“But it will be a real treat for ‘em” said Hagrid he was smiling excitedly
“Maybe we should save them for the fifth years” said Athena “they can handle large creatures better…this is the third years first lesson”
“That’s why we should start we ‘em” said Hagrid
Athena looked at his smiling face how could she say no “ok…but we have to be careful we don’t want any accidents”
Hagrid smiled even more “great!” he said.
Athena stood in the paddock she looked up from the ground and stood up straight with her arms by her side and her feet a little apart. The class gathered round. Athena watched quietly.
“Everyone gather round the fence here!” called Hagrid “that’s it- make sure yeh can see. Now firs’ thing yeh’ll want ter do is open yer books-”
“How?” said a cold voice of a Slytherin boy, he had sleek blonde hair.
“Eh?” said Hagrid confused
“How do we open our books?” repeated the boy he took out his copy which was bound with a leather robe. Other students took there’s out all of them bound with string, belts and bulldog clips.
“Hasn’t anyone been able to open their books?” asked Athena, the class looked taken back that she’d actually spoken. But they all shook their heads.
“Yeh’ve got ter stroke ‘em” said Hagrid as though it was obviously easy to know “look…”
He took a copy off a Gryffindor girl with busy brown hair and ripped off the spellotape that bound the book. The book was about to bite Hagrid when he ran finger down its spine, the book quivered and lay flat in his hand.
“Oh how silly we’ve all been!” sneered the blonde Slytherin boy “we should have stroked them! Why didn’t we guess?”
“I…I thought they were funny” said Hagrid he flushed with embarrassment.
Athena frowned and walked to the edge of the paddock
“Excuse me what’s your name?” she asked him.
“Draco Malfoy” he said a sneer playing at his lips as he looked Athena over.
“Well Mr Malfoy…five points from Slytherin” said Athena calmly
“What!” he shouted “what for? You can’t do that!” his face was outraged
“Actually I can” said Athena “and the reason why was because unless you keep a civil tongue in your head, you shouldn’t speak at all”
Malfoy looked furious.
“I like her” said Ron
“Me too” said Harry.
“Righ’t then” said Hagrid who’d lost his thread as Athena joined him “so yeh’ve got yer books an’…an’…now yeh need the magical creatures, so we’ll go an’ get em’. Hang on…”
Hagrid and Athena headed away from the class and into the forest.
“Thanks for back there” he said pointing over his shoulder
“No problem” said Athena “that stuck up brat had it coming”
“God, this place has gone to the dogs” said Malfoy loudly “that oaf teaching classes with that stuck up scruffy teenager she’s no older than us, my father will have a fit when I tell him-”
“Shut up Malfoy” said Harry “you’re just sore because she took away Slytherin house points”
“Careful Potter there’s a dementor behind you-”
“Oooooooh!” said Lavender brown. Trotting towards the class were both Hagrid and Athena each leading creatures that had bodies hind legs and tails of horses, but front legs wings and heads where giant eagles. The creatures had grey coloured beaks with orange eyes. Each talon on their front legs were at least a foot long.
Athena approached the fence and tied the chains round the top.
“Hippogriffs” roared Hagrid happily waving a hand at them. “Beau’iful aren’ they?”
Hippogriffs where beautiful creatures in their own individual way. Each one in the paddock was a different colour stormy grey, bronze, a pinkish roan, gleaming chestnut and ink black.
“So if you want to come a bit closer” said Athena no one walked forward at first until a group of three friends stepped forward.
“Now the first thing you’ve got to know about hippogriffs is they’re very proud creatures” said Athena, Hagrid was seeing how well she coped with the class “they’re easily offended, so don’t ever insult one because it’s…just not a got idea”
“Yeh always wait fer the hippogriff ter make the firs’ move” continued Hagrid “its polite see? Yeh walk towards him and yeh bow an’ yeh wait. If he bows back yeh’re allowed ter touch him. If he doesn’ bow, then get away from him sharpish cause those talons hurt”
“Right who wants to go first?” asked Athena now came the dangerous part. She hoped no one noticed how anxious she was.
The entire class backed away. The hippogriffs were getting restless they’d have to hurry this along encase they got a little bit too lively.
“No one?” said Hagrid with a pleading look.
“I’ll do it” said a black haired boy, it was Harry potter.
He climbed over the fence and into the paddock
“Good man Harry!” roared Hagrid “right then-” he signalled to Athena “let’s see how yeh get on with Buckbeak”
Athena untied one of the chains and pulled the grey hippogriff away from the others and slipped off his leather collar.
“Easy now Harry” she said quietly “you’ve got to keep eye contact, try not to blink they don’t trust people who blink a lot”
Harry walked forward keeping eye contact.
“Tha’s it” said Hagrid “tha’s it Harry…now bow…”
Harry bowed down then looked back up, Buckbeak didn’t bow.
“Ah…right- back away now easy Harry…” said Athena but suddenly Buckbeak bowed.
The class clapped.
“Well done Harry!” said Athena also clapping “right you can touch him, just pat his beak, he likes that”
Harry slowly moved forward and reached out and patted Buckbeak’s beak several times, Buckbeak shut his eyes lazily enjoy the affection.
“Right’ then Harry” said Hagrid “I reckon he might’ let yeh ride him!”
No that wasn’t part of the lesson plan, but as Athena went to stop Hagrid, Harry was already half way onto Buckbeak’s back.
“Go on then!” said Hagrid loudly as he slapped the Hippogriff’s hindquarters.
Without warning Buckbeak’s wings flapped open both sides of his body and he was soaring upwards.
“Hagrid you shouldn’t have done that” said Athena as Buckbeak flew around the paddock.
“It’s a bit of fun” he replied, as Harry and the hippogriff landed “Good work Harry!” roared Hagrid the class cheered “ok who else wants a go?”
The rest of the class began to climb carefully into the paddock after seeing Harry’s success. Hagrid untied the other hippogriffs and the class began to approach them.
Athena smiled it was going well finally; she walked around the paddock, as one boy ran away from his hippogriff.
“It’s ok he won’t hurt you while I’m here” she said kindly, encouraging the boy back over “what’s your name?”
“Neville Longbottom” he squeaked
“Nice to meet you” Athena smiled “now just walk slowly up to him and look him in the eyes, don’t blink, bow and then look back up”
Neville did as he was told and the hippogriff bowed to him.
“I did it” he exclaimed patting the hippogriffs beak
“Five points to Gryffindor for trying” awarded Athena she walked towards Hagrid just as the Slytherin boy spoke.
“You’re not dangerous at all are you? You great ugly brute” Athena saw it coming, as Buckbeak slashed the boy. Hagrid wrestled Buckbeak back into his collar, as Malfoy lay curled up on the grass, blood on his robes.
“I’m dying” Malfoy yelled to the class dramatically “I’m dying look at me! It’s killed me”
“You’re not dying!” said Athena she bent over him “Hagrid you’ve got to take him to the hospital wing” blood was splattered all over Malfoy’s robes and the grass glistened ruby red in a few places.
The busy brown girl ran and opened the gate; Hagrid lifted Malfoy up easily and ran with him up the slope to the castle.
“Right everyone out the paddock” said Athena, the class obeyed “class dismissed”
****
Athena marched herself towards Hagrid’s hut later that evening, each footstep released her anger that was built up inside her.
She threw open Hagrid’s front door, Hagrid was sat at the table his tanked in front of him sobbing into Ron Weasley and Harry Potter who were short of breath as Hagrid squeezed them.
“I think you’ve had enough to drink” said Athena she grabbed the tankard and threw the ale inside out the door.
“Ar maybe she’s right” said Hagrid who let poor Ron and Harry go they both held their ribs “always looked out for me Athena did”
There was a loud splash as Athena walked back in.
“What’s he done?” asked Harry
“Stuck his head in the water barrel” said Athena “your Harry potter”
“Yes” said Harry flatly
“And you two must be” she thought of the list of names in her office that she’d memorised “Ron and Hermione…sorry Mr Weasley and Miss Granger”
“That’s us Professor” said Hermione
“When I’m not teaching Hermione please call me Athena” she replied.
Hermione blushed a little from embarrassment “ok” she must have never been told to call a professor by their first name before-apart from Hagrid, but that was his second name anyway.
“That’s better” said Hagrid he walked back in beard and hair wet, which he shook like a dog spraying everyone “listen it was good of yeh ter come an’ seem me I really-”
Hagrid stopped dead starting at Harry as if he’d only just realised Harry was there.
“WHAT D’YEH THINK YOU’RE DOIN’ EH?” he roared so suddenly they all jumped into the air “YEH’RE NOT TO GO WANDERIN’ AROUND AFTER DARK HARRY! AN’ YOU TWO LETTIN’ HIM! AND YOU NOT TELLING HIM TO LEAVE SOONER!” Hagrid strode over to Harry grabbed his arm and pulled him to the door
“Athena yer takin’ them all back up ter the school an’ don’ let me catch yeh walking’ down ter see me after dark again. I’m not worth that” he shut the door after they left.
“And that’s what drinking does to you” said Athena taking out her wand on the safe side “come on you three, let’s get you back” she lit her wand tip
“Athena why are you working with Hagrid?” asked Hermione, Ron and Harry shoot her a shut up look.
“It’s alright I don’t mind saying” smiled Athena “I need the practice and well Dumbledore reckoned that Hagrid would need a little assistance”
“Well you’re a good teacher” said Harry brightly
“Thank you” smiled Athena “I was always been good at care of magical creatures”
“Hold on” said Ron suddenly “I know you!”
“Took you long enough” Athena mumbled
“You use to date my brother Charlie” said Ron
Athena nodded “that’s me…we only dated for a while until, Charlie went to study dragons”
“I remember him talking about you” said Ron amusingly “a lot” he snorted it was amusing for him to think of romance
Hermione rolled her eyes as they entered the castle “Charlie and I still keep in contact-sometimes”
“He came to Egypt over the holidays with us” said Ron as they stopped at the marble staircase
“Well you three better get going” she said “and Hagrid’s right don’t risk going out after night to see him” she looked at Harry mostly. The three friends set off up the stairs and then vanished around the corner.
Athena sighed and headed up after them she turned right instead of left and bumped into someone again. There was a loud bang and something fell down the staircase.
She looked down at the bag that had been dropped and the scattered books “oh Merlin sorry, I’m so clumsy” she began to pick up the books as someone joined her
“Ah I was reading and not paying attention again” said that same hoarse voice, Remus Lupin walked past her to collect the books at the bottom of the stairs, she caught the odd sent again.
“We need to stop running into each other” she put the books into the bag that hung over his shoulder, he didn’t seem to mind
“Actually I was hoping to bump into you” he said
“I hope that’s a figure of speech”
He grinned “of course” he said “no it’s just I’ll need to bring in some dark creatures for my classes so I was hoping maybe you could help me find them and maybe teach about them with me…you are an assistant of care of magical creatures”
Athena raised her eyebrows “whatever you need I can help find them” she said “the teacher part I’ll think about, I’m not the greatest at defence against the dark arts”
He smiled kindly “well the offers there” he said
She nodded her head her curls bouncing around “I’ll think about it” she said heading back up the stairs “goodnight”
“Goodnight Miss Grey” he said
She cringed “Athena, please” she corrected
“Athena” he said again
“Professor” she turned
“Remus, please” he called as she reached the top
“Remus” she muttered and headed round the corner towards her living quarters.
****
Author: Lexie-smith
Beta: me and Punkw1tch
Rating: 12+ some bad language and other things...
About: it runs with PoA, and contains bits from the books (which do not belong to me I'm just burrowing them and am only writing for fun not for profit so no suing please)
pairings: Remus/OC please don't read this if you hate OC's ok, but it was my idea and I've gone with it, nothing more nothing else. But a little intro is what is needed. There is not only two new teachers starting this year but a third, and she has her only little story....
enjoy!
Chapter one- accidents and arrivals
The girl sat on the cold stone floor, her golden coloured curls falling over her face as she sobbed, loud and hard. She looked up and slowly saw the metal bars in front of her move gradually to the side with a dreadful screeching sound as they were pulled across the stone flags.
The darkness on the other side of the giant metal cage scared the girl as she began to crawl slowly backwards into bars behind her; she knew what was waiting for her on the other side of the cage, if only she had her wand.
Her tears slipped down her cheeks as she heard the screeching of more bars been pulled from the cage, there was a low rumbling growl and a pair of deep purple eye surrounded by yellow shone in the darkness. A clawed paw stepped into the moon-lit part of the girl’s side of the cage.
The girl looked up in horror at the black beast towering over.
“h-h-help” she said softly “help please” barely a whisper “HELP!” and the werewolf lunged.
****
Athena woke with a start as the engines of the train began to slow; she looked down at her watch. They shouldn’t have arrived yet.
She wiped the window with the sleeve of her tatty purple robes, the squeaking noise sounded louder in the empty carriage where she sat alone. Something was moving outside; her eyes could detect dark shapes.
The train suddenly jolted to a stop and her luggage fell from its rack. The lights suddenly went out plummeting Athena into darkness. She muttered “Lumos” and headed for the door, the light flickering around her but the door opened before her hand had even reached the handle. A tall hooded figure in black robes stood before her. It took in a long rattling breath, and Athena remembered her dream. She pointed her wand at the dementor “Sirius Black is not here!” she said her wand tip glowing brighter “Now be gone!” the dementor began to shrink back, sensitive to light, drifting back down the corridor.
Athena waited for the lights to come back on and for the train to begin to move before she left the compartment. She pulled back the door and stepped out just as someone strode into the side of her.
Athena knocked the person into the window opposite, as she herself fell backwards against the closed door of the compartment.
“Sorry” she muttered rubbing the back of her head with her eyes shut.
“No it was my fault” said a hoarse voice “I was in my own little world”
Athena opened her eyes and standing before her, was a tall man wearing shabby robes he had light brown hair with the occasional grey streak. His face was tired but his eyes looked young in years.
“I should’ve looked” she said tucking some of her blonde curls behind her ear.
The man smiled “Remus Lupin” he held out his hand.
“Athena Grey-” she hesitated “you must be the new defence against the dark arts teacher?”
He nodded “and I’m guessing that you’re too old to be a student”
“I’m Hagrid’s new care of magical creature’s assistant” she smiled letting his hand go.
Remus Lupin smiled “I was on my way to see the driver”
“I don’t know what Gary can do to help” said Athena shrugging and folding her arms.
“I was actually going to borrow his owl” said Remus amused by her sudden implication.
“Oh” said Athena shamefully.
“It was a pleasure meeting you but I have news to send to the castle” Remus Lupin moved past her.
“I’m just going to check on the students” she pointed towards the way he came.
He nodded and hurried off. Athena walked away from her compartment but she stopped in her tracks. Her nose flared. She smelt something. Something she hadn’t smelt in years.
***
The train pulled into Hogsemead station, Athena weaved in and out of the students with her luggage. She climbed into the large black carriage, smiling to the large Thestral. The creatures were fascinating in their own way; she loved being maybe one of fifty others who could see them. But then again all dark creatures loved each other.
The carriage pulled to a stop outside the castle. Athena gazed up at it her sea blue eyes searching the many towers and turrets, she hadn’t been here in three years it felt like more to her as she made her away inside.
Athena walked casually down the deserted corridor towards the office of Albus Dumbledore. She rounded the corner and there he was walking dreamily towards her- almost coincidently. Athena placed down her suitcase and backpack.
“Athena” said Dumbledore holding out his arms his eyes twinkled behind his glasses they matched his sapphire robes. “Welcome back”
“Hello Albus” said Athena “it’s great to be home”
Dumbledore looked Athena over; she still looked like her younger self with her baggy, worn jeans and tatty purple robes with purple converse that had shoelaces with faded grey dragons on.
“Allow me to show you to your room” he said taking hold of her jade coloured backpack.
“Its fine Albus I can manage” and she hastily took the bag from him and picked up her suitcase that was bound shut with two leather belts.
Albus nodded and he led her down a couple of corridors. They stopped in a deserted corridor that Athena remembered; it rounded another bend to Minerva McGonagall’s office and room and also to the stairs that led to Gryffindor tower.
“Your room and office” said Albus opening the door they’d stopped outside opposite sat an alcove with a blue and white china vase sat on a pedestal.
Athena stepped inside the room and her face fell. The room was tiny; it had a single bed pushed up against the far wall with a bedside table. Behind the door sat a wooden desk. Against the opposite wall to the bed sat a large fireplace that over powered the room in front of the fire place was a small table with two chairs. A window was placed opposite the door with a chest of drawers to the left over the top was a mirror. The room was a soft yellow colour with cream bed sheets and chair covers.
“It’s lovely” said Athena turning to meet Dumbledore’s smiling face.
“I’m sorry about the size of the room” sighed Dumbledore “Professor Kettleburn only used the room as a place to store papers; he used to sleep in a tent in the grounds…except in the winter”
Athena had to keep herself from saying ‘I can see why’
She hung her backpack over the chair and dumped her suitcase on the bed.
“We should be getting to the great hall” said Dumbledore.
Athena nodded and followed him out.
“I’m happy that you decided to take the job” said Dumbledore as they walked towards the great hall.
“When you said Hagrid was teaching and he didn’t mind having an assistant I was more than happy to take the job” said Athena “I didn’t think you’d pick me though”.
“You were an outstanding student in both OWL and NEWT year, why not select you” said Dumbledore.
“You know why Albus” said Athena she stopped and searched his face “it was good though to hear that Severus could make the potion”.
Dumbledore nodded.
Footsteps echoed down the hall and Minerva McGonagall hurried round the corner clutching a letter.
“Headmaster” she said “Remus has sent an owl saying that Potter was taken ill on the train…Remus says he’s sorted him out but I’m going to have Poppy take a look at him” she didn’t acknowledge Athena’s presence.
Albus nodded his head agreeing with Minerva “I’ll have Filius cover the sorting while you speak to Harry and Miss Granger”
Minerva nodded she turned and saw Athena standing down “well…well, I thought you’d be late…you always were for my classes anyway” she muttered.
“Great to see you too Minerva” Athena was once a badly behaved Gryffindor girl “but I’ve grown up a lot since then”
Minerva looked her over just like Dumbledore had done but her lips twisted as she noted the shabby clothes and battered shoes, she nodded to Dumbledore and hurried away.
“She hasn’t changed a bit” said Athena sarcastically
Dumbledore smiled as he led the way back to the great hall.
She took her seat two down from Dumbledore’s, she would be joined either side by Hagrid and Minerva. She felt strange watching the students, she was now a teacher and her student days were long gone but she still felt odd sat at the staff table.
She looked to her right and saw, Professor Snape (ah she’d failed potions), Madam Pince and Professor Sinistra who were all old teachers. To her right was Albus, followed by Professor Flitwick, the man she’d met on the train Remus Lupin, after him was Professor Sprout, an empty seat, then Madam Hooch, Professor Vector and last of all Professor Burbage.
Athena watched the sorting quietly. She’d remembered her sorting, as everyone remembered did, the hat had told her that she was a bit of a trouble maker but noble at heart and mind, so she was placed in Gryffindor to Minerva’s joy.
Hagrid had now taken his seat he turned to her his beetle black eyes glistening in the floating candle light, his hair and beard were both wet from the rain, but he still looked like Hagrid.
“Little Athena Grey” he beamed “who’d ‘ave thought you’d be workin’ with me”
“Who’d have thought that I’d be the assistant to the care of magical creatures’ teacher, and the teacher turned out to be you” she beamed.
He beamed back “good to ‘ave yeh back” he said they were good friends from when Athena went to school at Hogwarts three years ago.
Professor McGonagall took her seat as did Madam Pomfrey down the table, and two Gryffindor students.
Dumbledore stood up and the whole hall fell silent, Dumbledore’s presence was like a giant candle, he illuminated the entire room.
“Welcome!” he said “welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…” he cleared his throat “as you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban who are here on ministry of magic business” Dumbledore paused, he seemed a little tense about dementors been here “they are stationed at every entrance to the grounds and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguise-or even invisibility cloaks” he added “it is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to out prefects and our head boy and girl to make sure that no student runs foul of the dementors”
Dumbledore looked round at the students seriously.
“On a happier note I am pleased to welcome not, one but three new teachers to our rank this year” he continued “firstly professor Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the post of defence against the dark arts” Remus Lupin stood up and there was a scattered applause, he looked quite pale as he sat down. “As to our second new appointment” Albus carried on as the applause died away “well I am sorry to say that Professor Kettleburn, our care of magical creatures teacher retired at the end of last year in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs” Athena gulped “however I am delighted to say that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rebeus Hagrid” Hagrid stood up knocking over his drink, as the applause sounded round the hall mainly from the Gryffindor table. The applause died down slowly.
"And please allow me to introduce the third new professor, the youngest we have had for a long time, she will be helping Professor Hagrid with his lessons, please welcome Professor Grey” Athena stood up and smiled, she received two wolf whistles from two red hair twin boys. She sat back down feeling a little embarrassed but happy that Dumbledore had called her Grey like in her school days.
“I don’t understand why Dumbledore employed her and Hagrid?” said Ron as he clapped
“Maybe it’s to make sure that Hagrid can handle himself?” suggested Hermione
“What makes you think that?” asked Harry as the clapping died
“Maybe Dumbledore hasn’t forgotten about Norbert” was all Hermione said as the feast began.
****
“I’m not sure Hagrid maybe we should start smaller” said Athena she was stood outside of Hagrid’s hut, dressed in similar clothes to the day before but instead they were green, she still though had her golden natural curls. They were preparing their first lesson
“But it will be a real treat for ‘em” said Hagrid he was smiling excitedly
“Maybe we should save them for the fifth years” said Athena “they can handle large creatures better…this is the third years first lesson”
“That’s why we should start we ‘em” said Hagrid
Athena looked at his smiling face how could she say no “ok…but we have to be careful we don’t want any accidents”
Hagrid smiled even more “great!” he said.
Athena stood in the paddock she looked up from the ground and stood up straight with her arms by her side and her feet a little apart. The class gathered round. Athena watched quietly.
“Everyone gather round the fence here!” called Hagrid “that’s it- make sure yeh can see. Now firs’ thing yeh’ll want ter do is open yer books-”
“How?” said a cold voice of a Slytherin boy, he had sleek blonde hair.
“Eh?” said Hagrid confused
“How do we open our books?” repeated the boy he took out his copy which was bound with a leather robe. Other students took there’s out all of them bound with string, belts and bulldog clips.
“Hasn’t anyone been able to open their books?” asked Athena, the class looked taken back that she’d actually spoken. But they all shook their heads.
“Yeh’ve got ter stroke ‘em” said Hagrid as though it was obviously easy to know “look…”
He took a copy off a Gryffindor girl with busy brown hair and ripped off the spellotape that bound the book. The book was about to bite Hagrid when he ran finger down its spine, the book quivered and lay flat in his hand.
“Oh how silly we’ve all been!” sneered the blonde Slytherin boy “we should have stroked them! Why didn’t we guess?”
“I…I thought they were funny” said Hagrid he flushed with embarrassment.
Athena frowned and walked to the edge of the paddock
“Excuse me what’s your name?” she asked him.
“Draco Malfoy” he said a sneer playing at his lips as he looked Athena over.
“Well Mr Malfoy…five points from Slytherin” said Athena calmly
“What!” he shouted “what for? You can’t do that!” his face was outraged
“Actually I can” said Athena “and the reason why was because unless you keep a civil tongue in your head, you shouldn’t speak at all”
Malfoy looked furious.
“I like her” said Ron
“Me too” said Harry.
“Righ’t then” said Hagrid who’d lost his thread as Athena joined him “so yeh’ve got yer books an’…an’…now yeh need the magical creatures, so we’ll go an’ get em’. Hang on…”
Hagrid and Athena headed away from the class and into the forest.
“Thanks for back there” he said pointing over his shoulder
“No problem” said Athena “that stuck up brat had it coming”
“God, this place has gone to the dogs” said Malfoy loudly “that oaf teaching classes with that stuck up scruffy teenager she’s no older than us, my father will have a fit when I tell him-”
“Shut up Malfoy” said Harry “you’re just sore because she took away Slytherin house points”
“Careful Potter there’s a dementor behind you-”
“Oooooooh!” said Lavender brown. Trotting towards the class were both Hagrid and Athena each leading creatures that had bodies hind legs and tails of horses, but front legs wings and heads where giant eagles. The creatures had grey coloured beaks with orange eyes. Each talon on their front legs were at least a foot long.
Athena approached the fence and tied the chains round the top.
“Hippogriffs” roared Hagrid happily waving a hand at them. “Beau’iful aren’ they?”
Hippogriffs where beautiful creatures in their own individual way. Each one in the paddock was a different colour stormy grey, bronze, a pinkish roan, gleaming chestnut and ink black.
“So if you want to come a bit closer” said Athena no one walked forward at first until a group of three friends stepped forward.
“Now the first thing you’ve got to know about hippogriffs is they’re very proud creatures” said Athena, Hagrid was seeing how well she coped with the class “they’re easily offended, so don’t ever insult one because it’s…just not a got idea”
“Yeh always wait fer the hippogriff ter make the firs’ move” continued Hagrid “its polite see? Yeh walk towards him and yeh bow an’ yeh wait. If he bows back yeh’re allowed ter touch him. If he doesn’ bow, then get away from him sharpish cause those talons hurt”
“Right who wants to go first?” asked Athena now came the dangerous part. She hoped no one noticed how anxious she was.
The entire class backed away. The hippogriffs were getting restless they’d have to hurry this along encase they got a little bit too lively.
“No one?” said Hagrid with a pleading look.
“I’ll do it” said a black haired boy, it was Harry potter.
He climbed over the fence and into the paddock
“Good man Harry!” roared Hagrid “right then-” he signalled to Athena “let’s see how yeh get on with Buckbeak”
Athena untied one of the chains and pulled the grey hippogriff away from the others and slipped off his leather collar.
“Easy now Harry” she said quietly “you’ve got to keep eye contact, try not to blink they don’t trust people who blink a lot”
Harry walked forward keeping eye contact.
“Tha’s it” said Hagrid “tha’s it Harry…now bow…”
Harry bowed down then looked back up, Buckbeak didn’t bow.
“Ah…right- back away now easy Harry…” said Athena but suddenly Buckbeak bowed.
The class clapped.
“Well done Harry!” said Athena also clapping “right you can touch him, just pat his beak, he likes that”
Harry slowly moved forward and reached out and patted Buckbeak’s beak several times, Buckbeak shut his eyes lazily enjoy the affection.
“Right’ then Harry” said Hagrid “I reckon he might’ let yeh ride him!”
No that wasn’t part of the lesson plan, but as Athena went to stop Hagrid, Harry was already half way onto Buckbeak’s back.
“Go on then!” said Hagrid loudly as he slapped the Hippogriff’s hindquarters.
Without warning Buckbeak’s wings flapped open both sides of his body and he was soaring upwards.
“Hagrid you shouldn’t have done that” said Athena as Buckbeak flew around the paddock.
“It’s a bit of fun” he replied, as Harry and the hippogriff landed “Good work Harry!” roared Hagrid the class cheered “ok who else wants a go?”
The rest of the class began to climb carefully into the paddock after seeing Harry’s success. Hagrid untied the other hippogriffs and the class began to approach them.
Athena smiled it was going well finally; she walked around the paddock, as one boy ran away from his hippogriff.
“It’s ok he won’t hurt you while I’m here” she said kindly, encouraging the boy back over “what’s your name?”
“Neville Longbottom” he squeaked
“Nice to meet you” Athena smiled “now just walk slowly up to him and look him in the eyes, don’t blink, bow and then look back up”
Neville did as he was told and the hippogriff bowed to him.
“I did it” he exclaimed patting the hippogriffs beak
“Five points to Gryffindor for trying” awarded Athena she walked towards Hagrid just as the Slytherin boy spoke.
“You’re not dangerous at all are you? You great ugly brute” Athena saw it coming, as Buckbeak slashed the boy. Hagrid wrestled Buckbeak back into his collar, as Malfoy lay curled up on the grass, blood on his robes.
“I’m dying” Malfoy yelled to the class dramatically “I’m dying look at me! It’s killed me”
“You’re not dying!” said Athena she bent over him “Hagrid you’ve got to take him to the hospital wing” blood was splattered all over Malfoy’s robes and the grass glistened ruby red in a few places.
The busy brown girl ran and opened the gate; Hagrid lifted Malfoy up easily and ran with him up the slope to the castle.
“Right everyone out the paddock” said Athena, the class obeyed “class dismissed”
****
Athena marched herself towards Hagrid’s hut later that evening, each footstep released her anger that was built up inside her.
She threw open Hagrid’s front door, Hagrid was sat at the table his tanked in front of him sobbing into Ron Weasley and Harry Potter who were short of breath as Hagrid squeezed them.
“I think you’ve had enough to drink” said Athena she grabbed the tankard and threw the ale inside out the door.
“Ar maybe she’s right” said Hagrid who let poor Ron and Harry go they both held their ribs “always looked out for me Athena did”
There was a loud splash as Athena walked back in.
“What’s he done?” asked Harry
“Stuck his head in the water barrel” said Athena “your Harry potter”
“Yes” said Harry flatly
“And you two must be” she thought of the list of names in her office that she’d memorised “Ron and Hermione…sorry Mr Weasley and Miss Granger”
“That’s us Professor” said Hermione
“When I’m not teaching Hermione please call me Athena” she replied.
Hermione blushed a little from embarrassment “ok” she must have never been told to call a professor by their first name before-apart from Hagrid, but that was his second name anyway.
“That’s better” said Hagrid he walked back in beard and hair wet, which he shook like a dog spraying everyone “listen it was good of yeh ter come an’ seem me I really-”
Hagrid stopped dead starting at Harry as if he’d only just realised Harry was there.
“WHAT D’YEH THINK YOU’RE DOIN’ EH?” he roared so suddenly they all jumped into the air “YEH’RE NOT TO GO WANDERIN’ AROUND AFTER DARK HARRY! AN’ YOU TWO LETTIN’ HIM! AND YOU NOT TELLING HIM TO LEAVE SOONER!” Hagrid strode over to Harry grabbed his arm and pulled him to the door
“Athena yer takin’ them all back up ter the school an’ don’ let me catch yeh walking’ down ter see me after dark again. I’m not worth that” he shut the door after they left.
“And that’s what drinking does to you” said Athena taking out her wand on the safe side “come on you three, let’s get you back” she lit her wand tip
“Athena why are you working with Hagrid?” asked Hermione, Ron and Harry shoot her a shut up look.
“It’s alright I don’t mind saying” smiled Athena “I need the practice and well Dumbledore reckoned that Hagrid would need a little assistance”
“Well you’re a good teacher” said Harry brightly
“Thank you” smiled Athena “I was always been good at care of magical creatures”
“Hold on” said Ron suddenly “I know you!”
“Took you long enough” Athena mumbled
“You use to date my brother Charlie” said Ron
Athena nodded “that’s me…we only dated for a while until, Charlie went to study dragons”
“I remember him talking about you” said Ron amusingly “a lot” he snorted it was amusing for him to think of romance
Hermione rolled her eyes as they entered the castle “Charlie and I still keep in contact-sometimes”
“He came to Egypt over the holidays with us” said Ron as they stopped at the marble staircase
“Well you three better get going” she said “and Hagrid’s right don’t risk going out after night to see him” she looked at Harry mostly. The three friends set off up the stairs and then vanished around the corner.
Athena sighed and headed up after them she turned right instead of left and bumped into someone again. There was a loud bang and something fell down the staircase.
She looked down at the bag that had been dropped and the scattered books “oh Merlin sorry, I’m so clumsy” she began to pick up the books as someone joined her
“Ah I was reading and not paying attention again” said that same hoarse voice, Remus Lupin walked past her to collect the books at the bottom of the stairs, she caught the odd sent again.
“We need to stop running into each other” she put the books into the bag that hung over his shoulder, he didn’t seem to mind
“Actually I was hoping to bump into you” he said
“I hope that’s a figure of speech”
He grinned “of course” he said “no it’s just I’ll need to bring in some dark creatures for my classes so I was hoping maybe you could help me find them and maybe teach about them with me…you are an assistant of care of magical creatures”
Athena raised her eyebrows “whatever you need I can help find them” she said “the teacher part I’ll think about, I’m not the greatest at defence against the dark arts”
He smiled kindly “well the offers there” he said
She nodded her head her curls bouncing around “I’ll think about it” she said heading back up the stairs “goodnight”
“Goodnight Miss Grey” he said
She cringed “Athena, please” she corrected
“Athena” he said again
“Professor” she turned
“Remus, please” he called as she reached the top
“Remus” she muttered and headed round the corner towards her living quarters.
****