This chapter was quick. Don't expect updates like this often. This chapter is out this soon because I already had it finished. The next chapter has a small amout of writer's block on it because of a lack of filler material. I don't want to rush the plot.
Chapter 1 - Raptor
I'm not sure why, but I kind of expected it to happen one day. The day we'd all wake up and the Daily Prophet would be saying that Harry had finally snapped. It's not really something someone calling himself Harry's best mate should really do, but something cynical in the back of my mind kept saying it.
BOY-WHO-LIVED FOUND!
DID WE REALLY WANT TO?
I looked over at my wife, Luna, who was paler than usual, and I sat down, not really knowing what to think. The article was rubbish, of that I was sure.
Surely Harry couldn't be doing these things? I mean, he's… Harry.
According to the article, Harry was now 'Lord Potter' and Voldemort's successor, the delirium of 'his fans turning on him' and 'the stress of the situation' finally catching up to him.
His first victims were muggleborn families and small communities. It was a cold morning in our house, and in the houses of all we knew. Even Draco, as much of a git as I still thought him to be, seemed very shaken. Though that may have been more the fact that convinced him it was Harry was the mangled body of Professor Snape being dumped on Hogwarts doorstep, along with a highly insulting note.
I didn't want to believe that it was Harry, and I held out for a long time, but the evidence just kept mounting, month after month. Soon after that, it seemed to the older Wizards that the dark days were being brought back. But hope was not lost completely. We had lived through the dark times once, now we just needed to again. According to the Daily Prophet, and I take anything they say with a pinch of salt, we just had to wait for someone to do something. Draco snorted over that. He made a few scathing comments to the press on how the last 'hero' had turned on us. As I recall, Ginny didn't speak to Draco for several weeks after that.
But it seems that the Daily Prophet was right for once.
One day, an attack failed, and it was all due to one man. Trey Hiam Raptor. According to witnesses, the hawk animagus flew in through the apparation wards just after the 'Reapers', Harry's elite assault force, arrived and began cursing them into the next week. A lot of people were skeptical of Trey at first, after all, how could he simply know where Harry was going to strike? Raptor ignored all criticisms though, and he kept going, attack after attack, as many and more than humanly possible. This swayed many people to his side. Hermione's still suspicious of him, even after he saved my life at the Quidditch World Cup. I think she's nutters, but that's another story.
But time passed as it always does. Hermione went to a wizarding university, and I went off and joined the Chudley Cannons as Keeper. Luna still wears those outrageous hats to the games, but somehow I don't mind as much anymore. If she didn't love me she wouldn't take the time to make them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I brushed back my long hair nervously and Hedwig cooed at me from my shoulder reassuringly.
I'm always nervous on the first day of school. Having been to Draco and Ginny's wedding last week didn't help matters much, either, as it was attacked by Reapers.
When Draco and Ginny were right in the middle of their vows, it happened. Reapers apparated in suddenly in their pristine white robes, then parted for him to come through. Most of us didn't wait, and reached instantly for our wands, but in the confusion we couldn't aim properly with all of the other wedding guests getting in the way, and were forced to wait for a clear shot while they gibbered. While we were waiting, the Reapers had finished their parting, and a man in a hooded white robe with red and gold designs came through. He raised his hands and pushed back his hood, revealing messy black hair, piercing green eyes framed by tasteful glasses, and the telltale lightning bolt scar. I hadn't seen Harry in the six years since he left, and I couldn't believe it was really him. There was a malicious smirk on his face, and his voice was mocking as he spoke.
"Now Ginny, I really can't believe you didn't invite me."
He let out a mock sigh before continuing, the evil smirk never leaving his face.
"Well, let's see… if I'm to follow the tradition for being snubbed on occasions like these… well, you should fall into a deep, deep sleep from which you can never return."
Another pause, and we were all holding our breath.
"But that's a bit too cliché, don't you think? Let's try something a bit more… permanent!"
"AVADA…"
"STUPEFY!"
Harry was then thrown back by one of the more powerful stunning spells I'd ever scene. It had been thrown by a man I hadn't noticed a moment ago. Standing protectively in front of the married couple to be, he was tall and lanky with eerie golden eyes, a large nose looking something like a bird's beak, and straight, fine black hair that was gathered into a ponytail that reminded me a little of Sirius. Harry was up in an instant, seemingly shrugging off the spell as the Reapers held back.
"Raptor."
The man nodded.
"Potter."
The two remained staring at each other for a moment, then Harry swore and apparated out followed by his Reapers as the Aurors came onto the scene.
The man I now knew to be Trey Hiam Raptor snorted then, and waited for the Aurors to clear the scene before attempting to leave. He got about three steps before being confronted by several Aurors.
"Mr. Raptor, may I ask you a few questions?"
He arched a brow.
"And what, pray tell, sir Auror, would be the response if I were to say no?"
The Auror grinned.
"I'm afraid I'd have to insist, sir."
Raptor arched and eyebrow and 'hmphed'.
"Then don't ask man, demand, or you won't get anywhere in life."
The Auror nodded.
"Then, sir, I'm afraid you're required to answer my questions. First: How did you know to come here?"
He shrugged his shoulders and frowned a bit.
"The first time I was just lucky. I happened to be in the area, and I hurried to the scene. Once I knew who it was, I started trying to anticipate his moves and started prowling around the area, hunting him, learning what areas he was likely to strike and what he wasn't. Didn't take a genius to realize that this place would be a prime target today."
The Auror nodded, then shook his hand.
"That seems to be all from me Mr. Raptor, but I believe that there's someone else trying to get a hold of you…"
The black-haired, beak-nosed man turned suddenly to find Minister Fudge behind him, a broad grin on his face, hand extended to shake.
"Wonderful work Mr. Raptor, simply wonderful."
Fudge had to let his hand drop after a moment when it was clear that Trey wasn't going to shake it. He seemed a little bewildered, but continued on. I noted with some amusement that Mr. Raptor's left eye began twitching slightly.
"Well, Mr. Raptor, I was wondering if you'd like to join my Auror squads? Grand pay for work you're already doing-"
Raptor cut him off, and began backing him into a corner. I followed discretely, trying to hear the conversation.
"No. Let's get one thing straight Minister. If you had acted all those years ago, back when this first started, I would not have lost everything and everyone I ever cared about. I don't like you, and will most definitely not be working for you. I will, as a matter of fact, use whatever influence I have to keep you from ever being re-elected again."
I grinned slightly as Fudge worked his mouth open and shut reflexively, like a fish. He finally seemed to find his voice though.
"Well, um… j-just think of the good you could do with the backing of the Ministry, you'd be the most famous wizard alive!"
He laughed out loud at that. He quieted down then, and spoke softly, and I could see the passion in his golden eyes as he spoke.
"I read somewhere that good should not be done for any price. Good should be done because it is good, and nothing else. Praise and rewards only taint your soul, together with whatever good you do. No, Minister Fudge, I will not take a position among your Aurors. I am going to a place where I can do some real good."
Fudge frowned.
"And where would that be?"
He smirked then.
"I've agreed to take the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor at Hogwarts. Good day Minister."
At that point, Draco Malfoy came over and led him off, shaking his hand profusely in thanks, and the two began speaking in low voices. Trey stayed for the rest of the ceremony, and by the end of the reception, he and Draco were laughing and talking like old friends, until Trey was apparently about ready to leave.
That was when Rita Skeeter cornered him. She was almost purring as she came up, her quick quotes quill in hand.
"Mr. Raptor…"
He didn't even wait for her to finish the question. His wand shot up in the blink of an eye and she stopped dead. I had to bite my lip to keep from bursting out laughing.
"I am afraid, Ms. Skeeter, that you will find my patience for the press short in the extreme."
Then he walked over to Draco and mumbled a few words before shaking his hand, and kissing Ginny's alternatively. Then he turned in my direction and winked. While I was trying to puzzle my brain on just what, if anything, he meant by that, he walked out.
And now I can't seem to get him out of my head…
There's something about him… the way he moves, his actions, his words… I've seen it somewhere before, of that I'm sure. I just can't place where…
Hedwig cooed again, reminding me to get a move on. It felt a little weird taking Professor Snape's place as potions professor at Hogwarts, but I can't honestly think of anywhere else I'd rather be. Especially at times like these, when people keep dying.
It's not fear, even though I will never want to face my former best friend in combat. It's about readying the next generation to be able to face whatever that comes their way. I don't think I'll ever be ready to face Harry. I don't think I ever could, for that matter. But if history has taught me one thing, it's that it repeats itself.
And one of these young faces might be the one who eventually takes him down.
Then Hedwig screeched suddenly, and launched off my shoulder into the sky, coming to a halt on a branch next to a…
Hawk? I didn't know there were any… oh, right. 'Professor' Raptor.
I waved to the professor on the branch, who bobbed his head in acknowledgement before lifting off and flying back to the castle.
"Hedwig!"
Hedwig was poised to follow him, but reluctantly flew back down and perched on top of Crookshank's cage, hooting a little. I smiled back at her. Despite Harry's betrayal, she was a loyal friend.
"Yes, yes, Hedwig, we'll be at the castle soon. Keep your feathers on."
She hooted again in response before fluttering up to my shoulder. She paused only to nip my ear affectionately before flying off again, this time for the owlry. I shook my head and resumed my hike up to the castle.
The castle doors opened before me, and Professor McGonagall stepped out with a warm smile to help me with my things.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Life, I have discovered over the years, is a game. It is, of a certainty, the most dangerous and all encompassing game ever to be played, and every day is a new hand. It is a game to be played as well and as frequently as possible, some days with more fervor than others, trusting to a combination of wits, skill, and sheer blind stupid luck to get you through.
The rules are simple. If you're alive at the end of the day, you've won the round. If you're dead you've lost the game. It doesn't sound fair, but who said that life is fair? This isn't to say you can't have days where you end with less 'chips' than you've started with. In those situations, you're down, but you're never out until the time comes to cash in. There have been times I've had trouble remembering that.
Like the day I lost what was left of my family, and all of my friends. But I've recovered, and I've shown the heartless bastard who took them from me that I play for keeps. He's stripped me of everything I'd had except my life twice now, and I'd be damned if I'd give him a chance for a third time.
Potter…
The name swirls in my mind, never completely leaving it. It's funny the comfort I used to take from that name. Back when…
"Professor Raptor?"
I blinked, coming out of my thoughts, seeing the face of the pretty young witch I'd seen at Malfoy's wedding.
"What can I do for you Professor Granger?"
I raised my head to see a slightly amused young woman.
Great. What have I done this time?
She smiled.
"Umm, the staff meeting's over. And you should call me Hermione. I mean, we are both professors."
I rolled my eyes a bit and I rose out of my chair and threw her one of my most winning smiles.
"Sorry, Hermione then. But only if you call me Trey."
She smiled.
"Sure."
I held the door open for her as we exited, mentally berating myself for getting sidetracked at an orientation meeting like that.
"How obvious was I?"
She grinned. That wasn't a good sign. Ever.
"It was apparent earlier when you didn't comment or protest at all to being named Slythern head of house."
"Oh Merlin… Just my luck. This could only happen to me. Nobody else has this luck. Nobody."
She started to smile, then a brief wave of sadness passed over her face.
"Okay, what'd I say?"
She shook her head.
"It's nothing, really."
I arched an eyebrow, but let it pass. Then I grimaced.
"I suppose I had better go up to see the Headmaster. Can't wait to find out what else I missed."
She smiled a little then nodded.
"Yes, that's true. Go down to the end of the hall and turn left. There's a big gargoyle out in front of it, you can't miss it."
I mumbled a 'thanks' and skittered off towards Dumbledore's office, leaving Hermione in my dust.
A few moments later, I sat in Headmaster Dumbledore's office, under the scrutiny of Fawkes, his Phoenix. That in itself was enough to make anyone sweat. Phoenixes have impressive magic.
"Have I kept you waiting long, Trey?"
I started and almost leapt straight out of my skin at the voice, my hand going almost instinctively for my wand. I resisted the impulse draw it though, recognizing the voice as Dumbledore's. I turned to him, and straightened a bit under his gaze, like a child caught doing something wrong.
"No, Headmaster."
There was a merry twinkle in his eyes that almost, almost hid the ever searching, ever appraising look that he was giving me. At least I didn't feel singled out, the man did it to everyone, whether he realized it or not.
"Albus, Trey, Albus. We are equals after all."
I flushed slightly in my seat.
"Sorry… Albus… I'm just a little new to this, that's all."
He nodded.
"I suppose Hermione has told you your duties in addition to your teaching?"
"She mentioned something about me being Slytherin head of house, but that's all. And I hope she was joking on that part."
The amused twinkle in his eye grew.
"No, Trey, she was not. You have indeed been made Slytherin head of house."
I sighed, and tried valiantly to come up with a way out of this.
"Isn't that position normally held by the potions professor, given the proximity of the potions classroom to the dungeons?"
Dumbledore's slight smile widened and he shook his head.
"While that is usually the case, I'm afraid that Hermione simply doesn't have the temperament for it. While I will admit that you don't exactly fit the requirements yourself, you are the closest here."
I sighed; apparently Albus wasn't going to let me back out of this one gracefully. I would have to raise a stink to do so, and that simply wasn't an option. Not with what I had planned. I'd simply have to grin, bear with it, and hope I didn't have a breakdown.
"Very well, sir. Was there anything else I missed? Besides my dignity flying out the doorway, I mean."
He chuckled.
"No, Trey, there was nothing else. At least you didn't fall asleep."
I smiled a little.
"Yes, I suppose there is that. Out of curiosity, has that ever happened?"
"Yes, Trey. Once. To my knowledge, anyway. It seems I didn't get quite enough sleep the night before the meeting. My first year as headmaster too. Quite embarrassing."
You've got to be kidding me… oh well.
After almost successfully squelching my laughter, I made my goodbyes to the Headmaster and proceeded to the door.
"And Trey?"
I turned slightly.
"Yes Headmaster?"
"Try not to cause any… large disturbances… while you're here."
"Sure."
I went down the stairs, my mind turning to other, darker, matters as I did so, like why I was really here. Teaching Defense against the Dark Arts would prove interesting I was sure, but something had to be done about Potter, and fast.
And here was the only place I would be able to figure out how. Assuming I played my cards right. One other thought ran more or less constantly in my brain as I wandered back to the staff tower, and I wasn't sure whether it was good, bad, or just another element to be dealt with in the grand game of life.
Dumbledore knows…