A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 34 ~ The Return

Minister Utterton was amazed at the story behind Rod and the Resurrection Stone, which was immediately claimed by an unnamed wizard from the Department of Mysteries, taken to a hidden storage facility, sealed and stored away among the thousands of other magical objects being protected by those clandestine and dedicated individuals. The Department of Mysteries was the wizarding world’s equivalent of the United States’ Area 51.

Headmaster Wumblewort was contacted and arrived at the Ministry to be debriefed. An acceptable cover story had been created to conceal Rod’s use of the Locomordres spell and a prepared statement given to the Daily Prophet for immediate publication.

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Hogwarts’ Student Displays Recessive Talent Not Dark Magic

In answer to a disturbing rumor originating at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Minister of Magic Winslow Utterton has disclosed there was an ongoing investigation of an incident that at first appeared to involve the use of a banned spell created by Lord Voldemort, a despot destroyed by Harry Potter over twenty years ago.

A seventh-year student, Rod Dormers apparently flew out of the stands to save a Quidditch player from impalement. After questioning and a careful examination by specialists, it was determined Mr. Dormers did not use a spell, but inadvertently called forth an ability that usually registers in young witches and wizards between five and eleven years of age.

This ability is called the “Float Effect” and is one of the most common ways to identify magic in children. Young witches and wizards can jump from elevated areas and slow the body’s descent so that they seem to be flying when in fact it is a directed fall with a lessened impact. Mr. Dormers was seated in the highest, closest seat to the stricken player and leaped out of the seat as a reflex, caught the player and simply floated to earth.

It is rare that this ability is displayed in students past puberty, but not unheard of. Mr. Dormers had been returned to Hogwarts and all charges against him have been dropped.

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“That will take care of it nicely,” the Minister said to the Headmaster, relieved.

Wumblewort, who had not been told anything about Professor Snape or the Resurrection Stone was also relieved. This was a plausible explanation. He had heard that the boy claimed it was a spell, but he was probably exaggerating like all young wizards did.

”Come along, Mr. Dormers,” Wumblewort said to the boy, “You have a couple of awards to accept.”

Rod looked at him with wide eyes.

”Awards?” Rod asked the Headmaster as they left the Ministry building.

”Of course. You will receive a medal and house points for saving Miss Weasley in a ceremony in front of the entire school,” the Headmaster said, “There have also been some changes in your sleeping arrangements. You will have a private room until graduation. Your grounds duties have also been suspended indefinitely. Saving the life of a fellow student is sufficient service to tide you over until the end of the year, Mr. Dormers. We are in your debt.”

Rod looked ahead soberly, not responding to the wonderful news. The Headmaster looked at the boy, his brow furrowed.

”Don’t you find this appealing, Mr. Dormers?” he asked him.

”Oh. Oh yes sir. I do. I really do. It’s just that . . .” Rod began, then faltered.

”Just what, my boy?” Wumblewort pressed.

”I’d really like something else, if it’s not too much trouble, sir,” the boy ventured.

The Headmaster scowled a bit. Rod was already getting quite a bit here. But the boy was a Slytherin after all.

”What, Mr. Dormers?” the Headmaster replied, frowning.

”I’d like to be sorted. I’d like to know for certain what house I belong in, sir. I’ve never felt like I belonged in Slytherin,” Rod said, looking at him hopefully.

Wumblewort studied him for a moment, then said, “I believe that can be arranged, Mr. Dormers.”

Rod smiled.

Maybe he’d even be able to spend his final months in his proper house. That would be fantastic.

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Professor Snape listened as the Minister hashed out his plans for his “presentation to the Public.” First he planned to drum up excitement by announcing he would be making a very important announcement in two days, one that would change the course of history.

Snape rolled his eyes at this, but listened as the Minister fanned his hands, imagining the set-up.

”All the most important and influential wizards and witches will be on stage, also in the dark as to what I’ll be announcing. You will be there, hooded of course, waiting in the wings discreetly. I will then give a speech explaining how I spent years and my own private funds seeking you out, etc, etc. Then I will announce you and you will join me onstage, and reveal yourself as I say:

”I present to you, one of the wizarding world’s greatest heroes, Professor Severus Snape! Welcome back, Professor!”

The Minister paused for the imaginary screaming crowd to calm down.

”Then you will give a speech addressing your public and thanking me for persuading you to rejoin society, being sure to add if not for me you would still be in hiding. Make that very clear, Professor,” the wizard said, smiling.

”I intend to make several things clear, Minister,” Snape said, rising.

”Fine. Then we will take a few photographs together. I will expect you here two days from now at nine-thirty in the morning, Professor Snape. That will give us half an hour before I make the announcement at ten,” Wumblewort instructed as Snape pulled on his hood.

”I will be there,” Snape said.

The Minister watched as the dark wizard exited his office and rubbed his hands together gleefully.

This was going to be absolutely wonderful. His re-election was virtually assured. Imagine, him finding Professor Severus Snape. He’d have to have Harry there too. The Auror would have to act surprised. Oh the photo opportunities were endless.

When this was over, Snape might be the wizard of the hour, but the Minister was going to remain in office for years behind this.

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Snape disapparated home and immediately Eli appeared with a shot of Firewhiskey for the wizard, who removed his cloak, hung it up and sat down heavily in his armchair, chucking the drink down and handing the glass back to Eli, who looked up at him.

”The Miss has asks for you constantly, Master,” the elf said.

Snape sighed.

:”Tell her the boy has been returned to Hogwarts and I will talk to her tomorrow,” the wizard said.

Snape was exhausted. It was only about five in the evening, but the day had been draining for him. He wasn’t ready to face Hermione yet. Still, she should be glad Rod was returned to the school.

”Yes, Master,” Eli replied, winking out.

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”Tomorrow? Why tomorrow?” Hermione demanded of the elf, who shrugged.

”I thinks he is very tired, Miss,” Eli replied.

Hermione scowled for a moment, then she sighed. He probably was tired. She was just dying to know what happened however. She looked at Eli.

“Can’t you take me to him?” she asked the elf, who shook his head.

”No, Miss. Only the master can deliver you to his home. It is protection,” the elf said.

Hermione sighed. Oh well, she’d just have to wait until tomorrow. She decided instead to go back to Hogwarts and check on Rose.

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Rod returned to Hogwarts at suppertime and caused quite a stir when he entered the Great Hall. The Gryffindors all applauded him as did every other table with the exception of Slytherin. He had cost them the game by saving Rose and each of his housemates scowled at him.

Rod turned very red at the unaccustomed welcome and quietly sat down to eat. If he had known all of this was going to go on, he would’ve gone straight to Slytherin house, but he was hungry. He was aware of people watching him and whispering as he ate, but no one approached him. As he tackled dessert, a treacle pudding, Headmaster Wumblewort stood up and tapped a glass, getting everyone’s attention.

“Tomorrow afternoon’s classes will be postponed in order for everyone to attend Mr. Rod Dormer’s award ceremony and Sorting,” the wizard announced.

”Sorting?” everyone mouthed to each other. Wasn’t Rod a Slytherin? Why was there to be a Sorting?

Professor Darke scowled. If Rod were resorted, then Slytherin house wouldn’t get the points he was to be awarded. They needed them in order to get back in the running for the House Cup.

When the Headmaster reseated himself, Professor Darke walked up the dais and took a seat to his right.

”Headmaster, I don’t see the necessity to sort Mr. Dormers now. He’s been in Slytherin for years and only has a few months left before graduation,” the wizard said.

”He requested it, Alistar. He said he never felt as if he belonged in Slytherin and I can’t blame him for wanting to know where he truly fits in,” John replied.

”What if he is resorted?” the Head of House asked the Headmaster.

”Then he will reside in his proper house until the end of the year and graduate with them,” the Headmaster replied.

”It hardly seems fair that the points he earned while in Slytherin house will be applied to another,” Darke muttered.

Wumblewort scowled at the teacher.

”And that is your only concern? That your house doesn’t receive points?” he asked the wizard.

“The boy has always been ungrateful, Headmaster,” the wizard responded bad-naturedly.

”If you think about it, he hasn’t had much to be grateful for, Alistar. He worked for everything he had, which wasn’t much. See what a difference just a proper wand made for him? I think, I think we need to re-examine our treatment of poor students here at Hogwarts. I really think if Mr. Dormers had an easier time of it, he might have been an exemplary student rather than an average one. There has to be a better way,” Wumblewort said thoughtfully.

Professor Darke said nothing. He simply returned to his seat and finished his supper.

Rod ate his dessert as slowly as possible, waiting for the majority of the students to exit the Great Hall before he did. Hugo also lingered. He wanted to talk to Rod. When he stood up, the fourth year did also and followed him out the door.

”Rod!” he called, hurrying up to him.

Rod turned, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the red-haired Gryffindor. He didn’t know who Hugo was. Hugo stuck out his hand.

”Hi. I’m Rose’s brother, Hugo,” the wizard said.

Rod relaxed. Other students who had been loitering about watched them closely.

Rod shook his hand.

“How’s your sister?” he asked Hugo.

”She’s pretty bruised by the bludger and her head’s all wrapped up, but she’s awake,” Hugo said, “Thanks for saving her.”

Rod shrugged.

”It’s all right. I couldn’t let that idiot Freud kill one of the best chasers Hogwarts has. She could probably go professional,” Rod said to Hugo, who nodded.

”I tell her that all the time,” Hugo said, beginning to walk with the wizard, “Are you going to go see her?”

Rod looked a bit startled.

”I . . . I didn’t think about it,” he replied.

”I think you should. I’m sure she wants to say thanks, and she was worried when I told her you had been arrested. It would probably make her feel better to know you were back and not in Azkaban,” Hugo said, smiling.

Rod hesitated. His saving Rose had been reactive, something he just did on the spur of the moment. But actually going up to see her? His stomach started to hurt a little.

”I don’t know,” he said doubtfully.

Hugo could see the nervousness in the older wizard’s eyes.

”I’ll walk you up. Old Peabody won’t let me in, but I’m sure she’ll let you in, since you saved Rose,” the boy said, turning toward the main stairwell, “Come on, Rod.”

Rod watched Hugo take a few steps toward the stairs, then turn and look at him, smiling.

”Come on,” he said encouragingly.

Rod shrugged and joined him. They headed up the stairs, watched by the other students, who had hung back.

“Odd Rod’s not a bad sort is he?” said one Gryffindor girl to another.

”No, but he’s still a Slytherin,” the other girl replied.

”Maybe he isn’t. Maybe that’s why they’re going to sort him again. Wouldn’t it be cool if he were a Gryffindor?”

Her companion shook her head.

”We’d have so much work to do breaking him out of all that Slytherinishness,” she answered.

They both headed for Gryffindor Tower.

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Rod pushed open the infirmary doors and entered, stopping a few steps in.

”Hello? Madam Peabody?” he called.

The short, sharp featured medi-witch walked out of her office, scowling slightly.

”May I help you?” she asked, looking him over for possible ailments.

”Hi. Er . . . yes. My name is Rod Dormers. I’d like to see Rose Weasley if I could,” he said, his voice wavering as the witch eyed him.

“Dormers. Dormers. Oh, you are the young man who saved her. Glad to see you back, Mr. Dormers. I felt it highly unfair you were arrested in the first place. Yes, you may see her for a few minutes. Follow me,” the medi-witch said, walking briskly to a black privacy curtain and pulling it back a few inches, sticking her head in.

Rose was awake, staring up at the ceiling, half a bowl of uneaten gruel on the table beside her.

“Miss Weasley, are you up for a visitor?” Madam Peabody inquired as Rod waited nervously behind her. He half hoped Rose would say no.

“Sure,” Rose replied, sitting up.

Madam Peabody smiled and turned to Rod.

“You may go in, Mr. Dormers,” she said to the wizard.

“Thanks,” Rod said, taking a deep breath and walking into the enclosure.

Rose and Rod stared at each other for a moment, the wizard’s eyes resting on the bandage around her head and the bruises on her face. Freud was a real asshole.

”Hi Rod,” Rose said softly.

”Hi,” he said softly, feeling as if his tongue was tied in knots.

They were quiet for a few more seconds.

”How . . . how do you feel?” he ventured.

”Better than I did earlier. My head doesn’t hurt as much now,” Rose replied, “Thanks for saving me.”

Rod nodded.

“No problem,” he said shortly, his blue eyes shifting about nervously.

”He’s very shy,” Rose thought as she looked at the Slytherin.

“I hope you didn’t get in a lot of trouble,” she said.

”No. Not too much,” he replied, “But I’m not supposed to talk about it.”

Rose nodded.

”They’re like that at the Ministry. My dad used to work there. They tried to keep everything a secret. But I’m glad you didn’t go to Azkaban,” Rose said.

”Me too,” Rod replied.

Suddenly, Rose’s stomach let out a terrible growl. Rod blinked at her.

”Oh, excuse me. I’m kind of hungry. All Madam Peabody gave me was gruel. It’s disgusting. I couldn’t eat it all,” the witch said.

Rod looked at the hardened bowl of gruel. He’d had it before. It was pretty nasty. Suddenly he reached inside his robe and pulled out something wrapped in a napkin. He stepped closer and offered it to Rose.

”Here. I took two pumpkin pasties from the Great Hall for later. You can have them. Anything’s better than gruel,” he said.

Rose took the napkin from him gratefully and hid it under her pillow.

”Thanks Rod,” she said to him, smiling.

He gave her a half smile back.

”You’re welcome,” he said, feeling a little more comfortable now.

But it was short-lived as the curtain was pulled back and Hermione entered.

”Mum!” Rose exclaimed as the witch walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek.

”Hi, Rose. Feeling better?” Hermione asked her daughter.

”Much. Mum, this is Rod. He’s the wizard who saved me from getting killed,” Rose said by way of introduction.

Rod turned a deep red as Hermione turned to look at him. He was taller than she was, with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, with a smattering of acne over his face. He was not a bad looking young wizard however.

“Hello Rod. Thank you so much for saving my daughter,” Hermione said warmly, walking over to the boy and embracing him.

Rod was shocked. He had never been hugged by anyone, much less someone’s mum.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Weasley,” he said, stiffening and turning even redder.

Hermione released him and smirked at his embarrassment.

”I hope they didn’t give you too hard a time down at the Ministry,” the witch said to him, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Not too hard. Thanks for helping me,” he replied.

“It was the least I could do,” Hermione said, still smiling at the wizard, who ran his finger around his collar as both mother and daughter smiled at him. He wasn’t used to all this gratefulness. It was time to go.

“Um . . . I’m going to go now Rose. I just wanted to see if you were all right,” he said to her.

”Ok, Rod. I’ll see you when I get out,” Rose replied.

Rod blinked at her. See him? Did she mean just see him in the halls or did she mean see him and talk to him? He didn’t know.

”All right. Goodbye, Mrs. Weasley,” he said, then turned and fought with the privacy curtain a bit before hurrying out.

”My, he certainly is shy,” Hermione said, turning back to Rose.

”I don’t think he’s used to dealing with people, mum. He’s always by himself,” she said, “He’s kind of an outcast. What he did surprised everyone.”

Hermione pulled up a chair and sat down in it, thinking about the Professor . . . how much of an outcast he appeared to be, but also how heroic and courageous he was when the brooms were down.

“You’d be surprised what supposed outcasts are capable of, Rose,” she replied softly.

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A/N: I was really enthralled by Lily Potter's ability to apparently fly as a child, when in reality it was more like she could extend a jump and float to the ground rather than fly. It was never mentioned as something grown wizard and witches could do, so I used this "Float Effect" (with a bit of creative license) to get Rod off the hook. Thanks for reading. ***