NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: 1
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and its world belong to J. K. Rowling. I only own the original characters I made.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
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"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those words of welcome." The new DADA professor started spewing her nonsensical drivel. Never forgetting to mention how much she loved the Ministry.
'Great, just what this world needed. Another Karen smeared in putrid pink. Remember Ben, it's just one year.'
Benedict Everest, a seventh year at Hogwarts watched the hideous woman from the Ravenclaw table. He was a rather fine looking young man with dirty blond hair. His piercing eyes were an electric shade of blue. With his 6 feet height and well built physique he commanded a presence that made people wary of him. Especially those that didn't know him very well.
"You're brooding again, Sparky." A melodic voice reached the man's ears.
Returning back from his thoughts he turned to the speaker on his right. There she was, a small blonde with large funky purple glasses sitting on her small button nose. She had an air of mystery and otherworldliness surrounding her. It was reinforced even further just by the contrast between them two.
"I've had only two years of relative calmness here. And now when I want to graduate I'll have to endure her bullshit as well." Although he said that he already knew what to expect from the start. After all he wasn't originally of this world.
One fateful day, when he lost his life in an accident his soul made its way to the plane beyond reach. During this journey to the pearly gates his being was suddenly plucked by an unseeable force. With a mighty push he was then cast downward. The sheer pressure of descent immobilized him. Second after second he began losing control of his consciousness until he finally blacked out.
What Ben didn't expect was waking up in a different body. It was the welcoming feast of year 1989, two years before the Main Character's shenanigans would take place. After two weeks of miserable adjusting to the new situation he realised that he didn't have much time. He had to insure his survival in this soon to be struck by chaos world. Changing the story wasn't even on his mind back then.
'The problem will solve by itself in the end so why even bother?' He had repeated in his mind.
Although he thought that, he couldn't have left everything to chance. Just his presence alone could've made a major difference. Because of this when the main plotline started to turn he watched over the main cast from the shadows. Ensuring that nothing would suddenly blow up into his face.
"How was your summer, Luna."
"It was fun. I've been traveling all over Scandinavia with my parents, looking for Budgewindor Snoutkits. They like the fresh soft moss of the fjords." She replied wistfully, smiling.
Benedict's eyes softened as he continued listening to her adventures. The Luna Lovegood before him was a little different from what he had read in the books. She was more grounded in reality. Of course she still had her whimsical moments. Every once in a while she would be mentioning about the existence of invisible to everyone's eyes creatures and sometimes outright ridiculous stories. However, there was also one more thing that seperated Luna from her book counterpart. Her mother was still alive.
"How's your mother been faring?"
"Oh, she's been a little bit cranky. But it'll pass come December. I can't wait for my little brothers." The forth year girl hummed.
"So you'll be a big sister of two?"
"Triplets. Daddy said we'll have to make an expansion on the Rook."
"So it'll look like a small castle now?"
His thoughts went back to the day he broke his promise to never interfere with the plot. But how he couldn't? He loved the portrayal of the small and filled with mystery blonde from the books. The quirky little girl's humor and outlook on life made him chuckle multiple times when he read the story. So while in first year and against his better judgment he wrote an anonymous letter to Pandora Lovegood, cautioning her that she would met an untimely demise if she didn't make fail-safes for her experiments. He let out a sigh of relief when he read, before second year in the Prophet that other than a small fire breaking out, nothing else happened to the Lovegood estate.
"Why didn't you want to come with us? Mom was disappointed she couldn't have met you."
"I'd rather not face the wrath of a jealous father, thank you."
He asked her to accompany him for the Yule Ball that was taking place last year during the whole Triwizard Tournament fiasco. For some unspoken reason all of the prefects were obliged to take part in that nonsense. Being the unsocial guy that he was, he asked the only girl he wouldn't have felt awkward to go with.
"It was nice to dance with you. Hopefully we can do it again when you'll not be under the influence of Nargles."
"You want seconds? How forward of you." He patted her head as they finally could leave the Great Hall.
One of his duties as the Head Boy was to show the first years the ropes. After teaching them about the method of getting into the dorms and stating the rules he dismissed the freshmen for tonight. Benedict Everest then walked down to the common room. There was still a meeting between Professor Flitwick and the prefects he had to attend.
"Thank you for joining us, Mr. Everest." The little professor clapped his hands.
"Sorry for making you wait, Professor."
"Since I have all of you here, let's start our first monthly meeting. Is there anyone that would like to start us off?"
"I'd like to give in my report." Benedict passed a couple of parchments to the man. "There weren't any irregularities on the Hogwart Express. Nothing worth noting at least."
"Splendid. If there are no further questions then I'd like to address the topic of this year's schedules."
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"So this is it, huh?"
A lonely figure stood in the dark corridors of the castle. His eyes wandered, taking every detail of the door before him.
"For six years you've served me well. Alas, you have another purpose to fulfill."
The entrance slowly faded away, as if it had never been there in the first place. In return a unique piece of tapestry took its place; trolls being commanded to dance by a barmy looking individual.
"Thank you for giving me everything I needed. Hopefully they'll treat you as you rightfully deserve."
It was hard for Benedict Everest to relieve this gift. Especially now when everyone will be put under scrutiny by the new employee from the Ministry. Dolores Umbridge will leave a smear on this institution's reputation. But he couldn't just blame her for this. Everyone failed in keeping her pudgy fingers in her own yard. Always allowing for more overreach to happen.
'And unfortunately I'm in no position to change anything. At least not yet.' He sighed.
His footsteps echoed in the empty corridors, playing out a small symphony that accompanied him on his way down the stairs.
"You're late, Everest."
"I'm right on time, Thornton."
This year the privilege of Head Girl fell to a Hufflepuff witch, Vanessa Thornton. She had brown wavy hair and a set of gray eyes adorning her fair complexion.
"Did you find anything out of place?"
"Other then us two amidst the desolate walls of silence? Then no."
"Hmph, can't go a day without being a downer?"
"There's nothing to be happy about."
"Touche. Let's get this over with." She stopped herself from yawning. "McGonagall is waiting for us."
They walked further down the hall. After passing the entrance to the Transfiguration classroom they'd stopped before a beautifully embellished door and knocked.
"Come in."
The office spoke true of the Transfiguration Professor's character. You could feel an oppressive wave of orderliness. Nothing stood out from the rigidly placed books and objects. It always felt too clean for Benedict's taste. Almost as if there wasn't room for creativity. However, those that don't know the witch closer would be sorely mistaken. Just as he was the day when he started learning personally under her wing.
"Good evening, Professor. We'd like to report that the rounds have been concluded." Thornton said.
"I see. Then you're excused for the night. Mr. Everest, please stay."
"Good night, professor."
The door clicked as the Head Girl closed the door, leaving only two people inside the office.
"Take a sit, Ben." The older woman said, still looking through some documents on her desk.
"The files seem to never end, Professor?"
"Unfortunately, I've been drowned with a new requisite. Straight from the Ministry, may I add."
"I've seen that loathsome pink toad. Will she be a problem?"
"It's none of your concern, Mr. Everest."
"I'd expect that response from Snape, not you."
"That's Professor Snape." She looked at him with a raised brow. "How's your summer assignment?"
"You could say that I've seen the whole world from a different perspective."
"Is that so?"
The rhythmic song of the clock accompanied the delicate silence between both mentor and apprentice.
"You can never reveal this."
"I know."
"Should the Ministry learn -."
"You know how careful I am."
"And yet I still worry. We're in very turbulent times, Benny.
"I've noticed." He chuckled.
"This is not a laughing matter. You should've listened to me when I've told you to transfer to Ilvermorny."
"And miss out on my favorite teacher? I think I'll pass."
"Hmph. Why do I still put up with you?" A rare smile formed on her lips. "Just remember that we're being constantly observed."
"Of course, Professor."