Harry Potter and the White Conference

Chapter 3: A New Term at Hogwart’s

Severus Snape snarled as he thought about what had transpired in the Leaky Cauldron. He berated himself severely. What the devil was he thinking, flirting with some random woman? Especially at the Leaky Cauldron, where that bloody oaf Hagrid is almost always seen on his days off. What if he had been there! His reputation would be ruined if word got out. He resolved never to think about her again. Unfortunately, the throbbing in his groin was not so easily convinced to forget her.

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Sophia promptly arrived back at the Leaky Cauldron two days later for her meeting with Hagrid. She wished that Dumbledore had prepared her for what to expect, and when Hagrid came up behind her and ‘tapped’ her on the shoulder (thumped her is more like it!) Sophia choked on her Butter Beer. She looked around, then up, and up and up to see a beer-laced face smiling down at her.

“Are you ready to go to Hogwart’s there, Miss?” he asked.

“Certainly. Thankyou for your assistance Prof. Hagrid.” she answered.

“Aww...” Hagrid blushed, “ya’ can call me Hagrid.”

Before going to the tube to get to King’s Cross station, Hagrid showed her how to find the secret entrance into Diagon Alley from the pub and filled her in on the situation at Hogwart’s, and the part she was to initially play.

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Harry arrived at King’s Cross feeling very excited. All the forboding feelings of his future detention with Snape were forgotten. On the platform, everyone was whispering about who the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher might be, and talking about what he or she will do on the first trip to Hogsmeade. For his part, Harry hoped that Prof. Lupin would come back, but that was unlikely. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Ron realized that he forgot his wand in the car and his father had to run back with him. Harry elected to go as well. It was more interesting than listening to Hermione drone on and on about how exited she is to learn new spells and charms, which she has already read about and can talk about in great detail, thankyou.

Hermione boarded the train and tried to find an empty car. She could hear Draco Malfoy sneering about something ridiculous so she ducked into the first empty section she could find. She closed the door quickly and flung herself down, while muttering curses about Draco and his goons.

“One day I’d like to hex that pompous bastard all the way to Antarctica!” she grumbled.

“Someone troubling you?” A woman’s voice from across her said.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone was in this compartment.” Hermione blushed.

“That’s okay, I assume most of the others are filled anyway. I don’t mind the company. Who were you cursing?”

“Just a horrible boy who thinks he is better than everyone else because he is a so-called ‘pureblood’.”

The woman looked perplexed, but only said, “people who feel the need to say frequently how great they are tend to actually be extremely self-conscious. I am not saying he doesn’t deserve your curse, but he probably also deserves your pity.”

Hermione thought about the woman’s words. They seemed wise enough. Was she the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher? Hermione thought she’d like that. She was startled back to reality when the train whistle blew and she jumped up looking around for Ron and Harry. Hermione was about to panic when she saw them running towards the train. She leaned out the window and called them over, “Harry, Ron, over here!”

Both of them breezed into the compartment. Ron slumped down beside Hermione, barely looking at the stranger. Harry couldn’t help but notice that this was the same way they first met Prof. Lupin. Introductions followed and Sophia couldn’t help but like all three of them. They were all exceptionally bright, and did not seem to find themselves superior to others because of their magical abilities. Eventually the compartment became crowded with the appearance of Ginny, Neville, and Luna Lupin. But soon, according to their prefect duties, Hermione and Ron left to patrol the cars.

They all got off the train and headed to the carriages, while the first years followed Hagrid to the boats.

“Follow me, Miss,” Hagrid said to Sophia. She bid farewell to Harry and his friends and carefully climbed into the boat with him, certain that it would tip over.

“This can’t possibly be her first visit to Hogwart’s? Is she not a witch?” Ron asked, confused.
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The students and the teachers were filing into the great hall for the sorting ceremony. Sophia walked side by side with Hagrid, chatting happily about all the fascinating creatures that Hagrid had at one time had as a pet. She found him incredibly easy to get along with and quite likeable. His chattering made her much less nervous about being the only untrained witch in such a strange place. She laughed heartily as he retold the story of his gigantic glowworm that he kept in an attempt to replace candles and lamps until one day he awoke to find himself covered in soggy silk and had to wait days for help.

As she laughed her gaze wandered up and met the piercing dark eyes of the wizard watching her. At first they looked at her with surprised interest, and as Sophia started to smile and wave hello, the wizard took in her company and surroundings, and his eyes narrowed in a outright glare. Surprised at his cold stare, Sophia stopped her hand from waving. Was this not the dark wizard who bought her a drink only a couple days ago in the Leaky Cauldron? Why was he staring at her as if she were the cause of a highly contaigous disease?

“Um... Hagrid,” Sophia interrupted, “whats with that wizard?” she said pointing to Severus Snape.

“Ay, that’s Professor Snape. Don’t mind him, he glares at everyone that way, especially your new friend Mr. Potter. Best stay away from him. He normally doesn’t like newcomers.” Hagrid answered.

“Hmm, I didn’t know he was a professor here. What does he teach?”

“He’s the potions master here.” Hagrid continued, “and if he catches word that you and Potter are friendly, you better run whenever you see him.”

Sophia watched as Snape strode quickly into the great hall, his robes billowing. He took his place at the far end of the high table, where he could hide from as many people as possible.

Dumbledore looked up and smiled as he saw Sophia and Hagrid approaching. He gestured to an empty chair a few places to his left and nodded at Hagrid as he grinned and sat down, his tankard full and waiting in front of him. As Sophia took her place she tried to ignore the cold stare of the potions master.

After the sorting ceremony, Dumbledore called for ‘silence’ in a deep and booming voice, and Sophia thought it was so quiet she could have heard a pin drop in the great hall. Dumbledore stood up and began running through the additions to the list of rules, according to Mr. Filch’s request. Finally, he concluded with an introduction to this years two new teachers. First, was a Professor Balthazar Ferro, who was taking over the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher (Snape refused to clap, of course, when his name was mentioned). But it wasn’t until the second new professor was named that Snape’s gaze turned from disapointed jealousy to pure unrestrained hatred. Dumbledore introduced Professor Sophia Aristides as the second Muggle History/Muggle Studies professor. He claimed that her expertise was required in order to keep up with the increasing demand of students for the courses. Hermione clapped wildly as Severus Snape glared at Sophia, hating himself even more for his unrestrained actions in the Leaky Cauldron, and turning his self-hatred into hatred against her.

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