Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 9

As the autumn sun began to fall, the bronze bells of the clock tower chimed for dinner. My head rose from behind a dusty old book in the restricted section of the library and I sneezed. "Damn." I whispered, being interrupted by the call to nourishment. Like a shadow, unseen in the dark, I hurried through the castle to the Great Hall and caught up with the straggling students. A few of them jumped, startled by my quiet approach. A nervous smile weakened my blushing face; I did not want the students to fear me.

Passing the end of the table, a small tug at my black cloak brought me to look upon the thin face of Severus. I smiled and bent down to say hello. "Why are you sitting at the end? You should be in the middle with all the fun!"

"But I'm only a first year. Plus my studies come first." Severus's response caused me to roll my eyes; he reminded me of myself.

"Come along." I took the small boy's hand to follow me. "Lucius, I want to introduce you to a friend of mine, Severus." The prefect turned to me and moved over to make room for the little boy. "He's a first year, and if I'm not mistaken, Severus is interested in potions as well." I smiled, shaking the frail shoulder in a close hug to my body.

"Is he now?" Lucius responded with a slight tease and I narrowed my blue eyes.

"Yes, so teach him what you know." I watched the boy sit down within the crowd of talkative Slytherin with a feeling of pride. In that moment, I had saved one shy student from making the mistake I made when I was young. Severus looked back at me with a grin and a light dancing in his dark eyes. I told him, "Don't ever think you're not important. Titles mean nothing; your soul is what matters." The encouragement I gave the timid child was something I wished I had heard at such a tender age. Words could not describe the appreciation and delight that radiated from my potioneer-in-training as I walked toward the table of adults.

"Good evening." I nodded to the staff taking the empty chair near a formidable green eyed woman. She nodded at me and turned to look at Dumbledore who then stood. The silence that stole the Great Hall was instant and respectful.

"I have a few announcements before we begin our feast. Professor McGonagall will continue her Transfiguration Club, the Astro-studies will be hosting weekly events in the Astronomy Tower, and last but not in the least, Quidditch tryouts will begin in two weeks, so I'd advise all of you to train well." A roar of cheers burst from each house and the headmaster raised his hands again for silence. "Also, I expect you all to strive for excellent behavior; Miss Zeria does not want to have to take away house points as disciplinary action." The students looked at me, attempting to judge my character with unsure whispers to one another. Keen as my ears were, I managed to hear a nearby Hufflepuff girl mutter, "I heard she uses almost deadly poisons to punish liars." Over the next few weeks, I heard many rumors about the 'mysterious young woman all the boys fancied and all the girls feared.' In all honesty, I was amused by the gossip as long as it was ridiculous and there were no truths to support the claims.

Once the headmaster sat, the grand room filled with the chatter of students and staff. However, a torrent of thoughts swirled in my vast mind. Silently sipping my blood red wine, I realized how many students I needed to familiarize myself with. The golden plate before me shimmered in the candlelight and my shoulders slouched. Then a tap acquired my attention with a start and I looked at Professor McGonagall's serious face. "Is that not correct?"

"Um," I stumbled and the staff realized I had not been listening. "Pardon me, I misplaced my mind. What was the topic?"

"Personal appearance, of the students that is; we were wondering whether to institute a new rule about the length of the male population's hair here at Hogwarts." said McGonagall and I noticed Hagrid and Dumbledore uneasily looking over at each other; I practically laughed.

"My dear Professor McGonagall, I do not think long hair on boys particularly disrupts uniform code."

"Ah yes, but it is a bit feminine and the young men would look much more professional with short cut hair." She obviously had an objection concerning long haired men and I disagreed strongly.

"Hmm, well I think long hair-for boys and men alike-is a feature that reduces rebellious attitudes in a healthy expression of character. Do you not agree with me Headmaster Dumbledore?" I smiled looking to authority for support. For a moment Dumbledore's eyes shifted to not look at McGonagall's stern glare.

"Yes, yes, quite so; hmm." Upon hearing Dumbledore's response I smiled at the dark haired woman, who was a bit appalled.

"I rest my case." The gold fork in my hand lifted a small scoop of mashed potatoes to my mouth. I paused finishing the delicious morsel and commented on a few students who possessed locks of considerable length with style and refinement. "Professor McGonagall, see Mr. Malfoy there? He has well-kept hair whereas young Mr. Black has an untamed mess. If a rule should be made, I would deem the upkeep of lengthy hair a necessity." The other professors nodded with me except for the gamekeeper. "No offense Hagrid." I added with a smile and raised my glass receiving a few laughs from both ends of the long table.