Rescuing Dragons

Arriving at Hogwarts

 The students wouldn't be at Hogwarts for three more weeks but the teachers and staff were already arriving. A letter arrived directing Raven to be at a pub called The Three Broomsticks by eight in the morning. She arrived early at seven thirty and took a seat at the bar. Usually a popular pub, there was only a small crowd this time of day. It looked clean but there was a musty smell in the air that reminded Raven of stale pipe smoke and late night revelries with tankards of slopped over drinks. She ordered a butterbeer and skimmed the front cover of the Daily Prophet. Finally, there was the sound of wheels turning on the cobblestones outside. Three other people walked out of the pub with her where they found a black carriage pulled by thestrals. The skeletal beasts fascinated Raven. They were both disturbing and beautiful at the same time. Their glossy black fur stretched over their skeletal bodies looked like glass in the early morning light.

Once inside the carriage, Raven glanced at the other passengers. Sitting across from her was a tall, thin wizard with wavy brown hair and thick eyebrows. He had a weak smile that made her uncomfortable. His dark gold robe looked patched and worn. Sitting next to him was a witch that would have been stunning except for the irritated pout on her face. She had short blonde hair and was wearing silver dress robes. Her fluffy gray cat lay next to her, looking intently at Chit. Sitting next to Raven was an impressive looking wizard. When they were stepping into the carriage, she noticed he had to be over six feet tall. His sleek jet-black hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. A black eye patch over his left eye blended in with his dark complexion and he had a long scar on his cheek. While his dark blue robe looked newly purchased, his heavy boots were well-worn. Chit hissed on Raven's shoulder and she didn't know if it was directed at one of the wizards, the witch, the cat, or all of them. "I suppose since we'll be working together, we should introduce ourselves," Raven said with a smile. "I'm Raven Black. I'll be teaching potions this year."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said the brown-haired wizard sitting across from her. "I'm Marco Dolohov. I'll be teaching Arithmancy." There was something both sad and unnerving in Marco, as if he was afraid he was going to be punished with every word he said.

The wizard seated next to her spoke next. "Hardwin Hitchcock," he said in a booming voice. "Defense of the Dark Arts teacher."

They all turned to look at the pouting witch. She hesitated for a second as if she might not say anything. "Millicent Bulstrode," she mumbled without a hint of a smile on her face. "Assistant to Madam Pomfrey as a nurse trainee." Then she turned her head to stare out the window. Raven had to stop herself from laughing at her rude traveling companion. She sincerely hoped she wouldn't need any medical help.

Marco talked non-stop to Raven for the rest of the short trip. She found herself feeling sorry for the nervous wizard and hoped he wouldn't be taken advantage of by his students. He asked her about her "lovely French accent" and she explained she grew up in France and had attended Beauxbatons. Millicent made a derisive snort as she continued staring out the window. Hardwin looked towards Millicent and raised his eyebrows but kept his thoughts to himself. The carriage stopped and they were met at the gates of Hogwarts by Filius Flitwick, the Charms Master and Head of Ravenclaw house. Raven had been introduced to him the day she signed her contract. He was also the conductor of the Hogwarts choir and his love for music had made him a devoted fan of Lyra's. As they reached the gates, he began rocking back and forth on his heels with excitement. "Welcome to Hogwarts! Leave your trunks on the carriage and they'll be taken to your quarters."

As they walked towards the castle, Professor Flitwick nudged up to Raven. He was talking about Lyra's fourth album, "Sorcière magique des Frances," when Raven interrupted him. "Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, but who lives in that cabin?"