Returning was always going to be hard

Chapter 11 – The beginning of a new order

It was now midway through the schools first term. Rhia wanted to get started with her seventh years practical lessons but she couldn't, she was yet to hear from Remus, she had planned to start this Thursday. Having sent an owl to him the previous week requesting his opinion and making sure he would be able to make it, she had still received no reply and it was now Monday afternoon – 'your cutting to fine old wolf' she said looking at the photo on her desk, the photo was one she had moved from the mantle in her living room the one of Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter and herself playing in the snow.
If she was to have the first lesson on Thursday, and calling all the 7th years together she would need at least two other adults with her who had advanced enough training and experience. She knew Min would help her, she had already convinced her the night before, 'what fun that had been' Rhia thought smirking to herself.
Rhia went back to marking her first years papers, there was no need to swell on this matter just yet, it could wait until later, she just wished the silly fool would get back to her quickly. It was a few hours later when Minerva McGonagall came knocking on her classroom door during one of her 6th year Gryffindor/Ravenclaw lessons.
“I'm sorry Professor Rhiannon, I don't mean to interrupt but this just arrived for you at my office, only a few moments ago”. Minerva said “Afternoon 6th years”
“Afternoon Professor McGonagall” came the quiet chorus of the students.
Rhia approached Minerva slowly and took the offered folded piece of parchment “Thank you Minerva” she said scanning the note “Ah this the confirmation we have been waiting on, took the daft old wolf long enough though didn't it”
Minerva tried not to laugh at Rhiannon's comment, but the students had heard her as well and many of them were laughing, Minerva couldn't help herself but join them. This caused a blush to rise in Rhiannon's cheeks, which Minerva thought looked absolutely adorable.
“Um Minerva, he wants to know what you'd think of including the 6th years as well?” Rhia asked
“We can discuss that later, right now isn't the time” Minerva said before she left the classroom bidding all of them good day.
“Including 6th years in what Professor?” It was Ginny who spoke, asking the question, which was no doubt what everyone was thinking.
“Ah well it would not be fair to tell you what could be. For if the Head Mistress decides to dismiss the idea then you should all be disappointed”. Rhia said her voice was barely above a whisper “However.....I for one think it’s a grand idea”
“But Professor...” Ginny started
“Miss Weasley, I have said all I intend to on this matter right now. But I will do my best to persuade our wonderful Headmistress it’s for the best. You shall no doubt find out on Thursday what the choice has been”. Rhia paused and looked at each of her students daring them to ask anymore but none of them spoke “Right now what were discussing....... ah yes Practical Applications of Unicorn Blood” she said turning back to the board.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Oh come on Minerva, you know its a good idea, they will need to learn at some point” Rhia was pacing Minerva office “Now is a good a time as any, if they are to fight, protect themselves, we need to teach them, train them. Most likely these are the students who will be the ones fighting alongside us” Minerva turned her head “Don't turn away Min, you know its true. And you also know I'm not likely to back down, I for one agree with my old friend, this needs to be done”.
“I just don't think it’s the fair thing to do, asking them to risk their lives, training them as an army, training kids to fight.” Minerva said
“Minerva please....”
“Rhiannon that's what your asking, they are kids you must understand that”
“So was I Minerva, so was I” Rhia said “I did it, James did it, Lily and the others as well, we were the same age”
“I........I'm not going to win this am I?” Minerva asked more of herself than her sparing partner “Ok” she said quietly “On one condition, lets make it the students own choice, I don't want them to be forced into anything”
“As you wish love, I thought you might have said that” Rhia gave her a small smile.
“Once we find out how many students wish to attend, depending on the numbers the three of us may not be enough, we should ask the other heads of house” Minerva said
“I've already asked them” Rhia said shutting her eyes and waiting on the fireworks
“You asked them before I agreed” Minerva asked, the anger clearly evident even with her Scottish accent (it seemed to make it worse)
“I knew you would say yes, not straight off, but I knew you would agree with conditions, you forget how well and how long I have known you” Rhia smiled taking baby steps forward “Forgive me?” she asked pouting slightly
That was Minerva's undoing how could she remain angry with her now “What did they say?”
“Filius and Pomona are good to go. Slughorn won't do it unless any of the Slytherin’s choose to take part” Rhia said
“I thought that would be the case” Minerva replied “What about Poppy? Surely you informed her that she may be seeing a lot of minor injuries”
“Yes I did, and like you she wasn't overly keen to start with, but I talked to her she seems to think its better for them to come away from this school a bit more prepared for what's out there”
“Why did Remus send the response to me and not you?” she asked looking down at the envelope.
Professor Rhiannon c/o Professor Minerva McGonagall Head of Hogwarts School
Headmistresses office
Hogwarts
“I think he is just being funny, he teased me a little after the first meeting about my feelings. Said that he hoped by the next time I saw him I had some news for him about us. He always was a nosey bugger” Rhia laughed
Minerva nodded slightly and looked at the time “Its nearly time for dinner, we should get going” she said and the two made their way to the great hall. Minerva took her seat and Rhiannon took her usual by her side. Once the students had settled Minerva stood “Can I have your attention for a few moments please” the students stopped chattering and turned their heads towards the head table and towards McGonagall “Could all the 6th and 7th year students remain seated after the rest of the students leave the hall, there is something I wish to discuss with you, also could the heads of house remain as well” there was nods from the staff and the students just groaned loudly.
* * *
As the rest of the students and staff filtered out of the great hall, the students remaining shuffled up towards the top end of their house tables each one curious as to what was important enough for them to be kept behind after all the others. The heads of house made their way to the front, each one standing just before the head of their house table, Minerva stood in the middle of them.
“I can see your all looking slightly confused as to why we have asked you to remain behind this evening” Minerva said, there was several noise from the students, some of them even gave their headmistress a nod “Well I shall let your Defence against the Dark arts Professor talk with you, she can explain better than I can what is going to be asked of you” with that Minerva took Rhiannon's place at the front of the Gryffindor table
“Thank you Minerva” Rhiannon said as she took her place at the front to speak, she was glad that the students had moved to the top of the tables, she didn't like raising her voice much. She looked at each table in turn making sure she had their attention before speaking again. “As you all know, we are in severely troubled times, we war, to put it simply at war” Rhia put a slight emphasis on her words, making sure she kept their attention “And it is most likely each of you will find yourself fighting it” many of the students turned away from her at that point, most of them Slytherin’s, she knew this would happen “Now in order to better protect you, give each of you a greater chance against You-Know-Who and his forces, I have decided, with of course the permission of your lovely headmistress” Minerva blushed a little avoiding Rhiannon's gaze “Myself, along with Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and Slughorn and one of you past Defence Against The Dark Arts teachers, will be teaching you proper duelling techniques, fighting skills and anything else we can possibly think of that will prepare you for the dangers you may yet face”
The students looked up at her in awe, and then towards the other professors, each of them wearing a serious expression on their faces, for this was a serious matter.
Minerva returned to stand next to her “This of course with be completely voluntary for each of you, those of you who wish to take part in these lessons cane remain here for a while longer and get the necessary forms for your parents to sign you may send these tonight and we must receive them by Thursday morning if you are to take part. The rest of you can return to your house dormitories.” Minerva stood observing the students, and as she and Rhia had suspected each one of the Slytherin students got up and shuffled from the great hall. The rest looked up at their heads of house. “Rhia” Minerva said simply and Rhiannon nodded, giving Pomona and Filius a pile of papers (which the students knew had to be the consent forms), Rhia gave Horace a sad look and gave him the forms to hand to the Gryffindor students, once the forms had been handed out he left without another word.
“Now send these to your parents tonight, we need them back as quickly as possible” Minerva said and she nodded to Filius and Pomona who started ushering the students out the hall. Rhiannon turned to say something to Minerva but noticed Harry still sitting at the Gryffindor table, she gave Minerva a puzzled glance and the two of them walked over to join him.
“Harry” Rhiannon started softly
“I won't be able to make the lessons Professor” He looked up at them both who were now towering next to him “I have no one to sign the consent form for me, so I guess I can't attend”
Minerva looked at him and them at Rhiannon, she could tell what the younger woman was thinking “Rhiannon please”
“Minerva I have to you know I do”
“Rhia you must be careful.......your father..”
“I know Min but he has to know and he has to hear it from me” she replied, Harry looked up at them confused by their exchange of words
“Excuse me Professor, but what's going on” Harry asked
“My office?” Rhia asked Minerva who nodded
“Follow us Mr Potter, we have a few more things to discuss with you tonight, which cannot be said here” Minerva said and Harry stood and followed his former head of house, and his head of house now out of the great hall and towards the Defence Against The Dark Arts Classroom.