"Now that we are all fed, there are a few announcements. We have a few new staff members, due to unforeseen resignations. These include Professor Robyn Trigo, teaching Arithmancy, Professor Kaya Thoris, teaching Charms, and Professor Romario Ridcully, teaching Defence against the Arts.
"So that two who have decided associating with Dumbledore isn't worth it." Dorcas mutters.
"Two? There are three new ones though." I say.
"Yeah, but we always get a new Defence teacher." Alice explains. "None of them last over a year, there's always something that causes them to leave."
"Third year, Professor Somerthee, had an... interaction with one of the seventh years. That went around like wildfire. But last year was the really weird one. Professor Gomez, had loads of strange ornaments and things hanging from the ceiling. End of the year, two of them fall down, one of them knocking him out, the other breaking his back, paralysed permanently."
"Ok Marls, try not to freak her out." Lily says, smirking at Marlene's dramatic telling of the saga of defence teacher.
It does seem creepy though. Mental note, never become defence teacher here.
The rest of the speech hadn't exactly been optimistic. There was the boring stuff about not going into the forest and not doing magic in the corridors - he looked directly at the boys when he says that (They are definitely prankers). Something about Quidditch - I heard hissed cheers from Marlene and some others. Merlin, it's been awhile since I've played some of that...
And then Dumbledore got into the really happy stuff like how You-Know-Who was gaining power and that we should all still be on guard and create alliances and do our best to enjoy our time together before we all go and die and stuff.
"Well that was fun and cheerful!" Dorcas quickly stands up after Dumbledores start of term speech.
We all stand up and start to head off but then Lily turns around.
"I've got to lead the first years, but I'll be up with you in a bit." Lily heads away from us down to the front of the table where the first years were clearly trying to work out what to do.
"Eb, you come with us. I'm guessing they'll have a bed for you in our dorm." Alice leads me towards the main pair of doors.
"You're gonna love the common room and everything!" Marlene grabs my hand, pulling me excitedly.
I manage to glance once more at the beautiful ceiling, now darker than before, and then we are back in the entrance hall from before. I follow the others up the large stone staircase, jostled slightly by other students trying to get to bed.
We go through the archway at the top and I am met by another staircase, thinner, but still made out of the same stone. Marlene nudges me, when I look at her, she points up.
I smile as I see the 142 moving staircases I had read about with Larry.
I never sent that letter to him...
Yeah, but I was attacked then kidnapped then interrogated, I think that's an excuse...
"It can be a bit confusing, but you get used to eventually." Marlene smiles.
"But for now, just stick with us. And hold on, it can be a bit-" I grab onto the banister as the stairs I am standing on jerk out of place.
"Sudden?"
"Yeah." Alice grins.
As we make our way up to what I count is the seventh floor, I look around at hundreds of paintings hung on the tall walls. We go from staircase to staircase, winding our way up, and then eventually step off into a short corridor.
YOU ARE READING
The Black Winged Marauder
Fanfic"It isn't my choice though, it's yours." When he says it like that, it suddenly becomes very clear. "I'll miss you." "Just make sure you write, don't forget all about me." "I won't forget you, I promise. But I need to do this." *•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*...
