The Empress of Magic

Before they knew it the First of September had come, meaning that it was time for them to return to Hogwarts.

,, Do you have everything ?" Xavier asked, looking her over as they stood in front of the red steam engine.

,, Yes, Grandfather." Celestia assured, amused about Xavier fuzzing over her.

,, Owl treats ?"

,, In my trunk."

,, Journal ?"

,, Also packed."

,, P-Wait where is Chrome ?" He asked, franticly looking around for the Niffler, in fear of what he might be up to.

,, Right here!" Perenelle said, letting Fenris walk up towards his Mistress, Chrome sitting on his back and looking around.

Xavier breathed out a sigh of relief and Celestia gently took ahold of his hands. ,, Everything is in order, grandfather... and should something go wrong, I have Regulus and the others to help me."

The older Wizard sighed tiredly, but nodded, leaning down to hug her. ,, Be safe......... and should Lockhart try something, be sure to write a letter. I'll arrange a meeting with the governors faster than that fool can spell his own book titles."

She chuckled, nodding as she heard the whistle of the train. ,, I'll see you at Yule." She promised, entering the train.

,, Write us!" Nicolas called after her, waving as he held a teary-eyed Perenelle at his side.

Celestia smiled, walking towards their usual Compartment with Fenris and Chrome.

,, 'Tia!!" As she entered she got glomped into a hug by a pair of very excited twins, Hannah and Susan having also fallen victim to them a few minutes earlier.

,, Fred and George Weasley-!" Aiden warned, having arrived just now with Hunter and the three Slytherins of their group.

And as Aiden scolded the twins, Hunter watching with an amused grin, happy to for ones be free from it, Hannah and Susan happily fuzzing over Chrome and Fenris, while Regulus, Theo, and Blaise sat down to watch, she couldn't help but think that this was how it must feel like to have a family...........

---------------

,, Have you heard ?" Susan asked as they sat down together for breakfast the next morning.

,, Heard what ?" Blaise asked, his gossiping mode activated.

,, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were spotted arriving at Hogwarts in a Flying Car, last night at the Feast." She said, making the others turn to Fred and George, as they were the only Gryffindors in their group.

The Feast had not been as spectacular or mention-worthy as the one from last year, though Ravenclaw and Slytherin reached a good number of first years this year.

The only interesting thing that happened was when a girl named Luna Lovegood joined Ravenclaw and curtsied to Celestia before taking a seat close to her, Hunter, and Aiden.

Other than that they and their friends were happy to leave after Lockhart held a ten-minute introduction about himself where he loudly promoted his books.

Though the Slytherins were quick to notice that their Head of the House had been missing for the entire evening, only making his appearance later in the Common room to hold his yearly Welcoming speech, in which he looked like he wanted to kill someone.

,, Ah........ yeah....." George mumbled, rubbing his neck in embarrassment. ,, Dad finds Muggles fascinating..... So he modified one of the cars so it could fly if you press a button."

,, And Ronnikins thought it'd be a great idea to fly with it to Hogwarts after the Barrier to the Platform closed......" Fred said, quite ashamed of the actions of his younger brother....

Not only had he caused demages to their father's car, no, he had also demaged school property and almost exposed himself and Harry to the Muggle-World...

Honestly, he could only hope that Ginny wouldn't turn out like that as well.

Not a second after the final words had left his mouth, Celestia slumped against Regulus her gaze becoming unfocused..........

,, Ohoh....." Hunter said, the others turning quiet as they waited for her to get out of her Vision.

A red Envelope, bursting into Flames.........

Blinking she noticed everyone looking at her worriedly, Fenris having placed his head on her knees as he looked at her from underneath the table. ,, Are you all right, Mistress ?"

Chrome was poking her cheek to get her out of it, while Regulus held her and made sure she wouldn't fall face-first into her breakfast.

She let out a small chuckle, looking at the twins, who tilted their heads in confusion.

,, Wait a few minutes......... Your mother and the Potters received some very interesting news this morning." She vaguely explained, making their eyes widen comically as grins took over their faces, the others breathing out a sigh of relief as they chuckled.

They were glad it wasn't already the time to start worrying about a dangerous relict or a three-headed dog.

,, A Howler ?" Blaise asked, and though she did not answer the amusement in her eyes told him he was right.

And not even five minutes later the Owls started to fly in, two of them carrying very red Envelopes..

,, I can't wait for this." Hunter said, all of them turning to the Gryffindor table.

,, Who do you think will open their's first ?" Blaise asked.

,, Probably Weasley." Theo answered...

And right about then-

"-STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE--"

Mrs. Weasleys yells, a hundred times louder than usual, making the plates and spoons rattle on the table, and echoed deafeningly off the stone walls. People throughout the hall were swiveling around to see who had received the Howler, and Ronald sank so low in his chair that only his crimson forehead could be seen.

,, That woman sure has a pair of lungs......." Hannah said, before opening her eyes wide, realizing that Fred and George were sitting right with them. ,, I'm so sorry."

,, It's fine-"

,, She's always like that." The twins waved it off, knowing fully well how their mother could get, especially since they had more often than not been faced with her anger.

"-LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED--"

,, Huh... So that old fool does inform adults when something happens to their children.." Aiden exclaimed, quite surprised.

So far as they were aware there hadn't even been so much as a Note having been given to the prents of students who were bullied or managed to cause trouble within the castle walls...

,, Yeah..... Though it's probably just the Gryffindors." Hunter replied.

"-ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED - YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME."

A ringing silence fell. The red envelope, which had dropped from Ronald's hand, burst into flames and curled into ashes. Harry and Ronald sat stunned, as though a tidal wave had just passed over them. A few people laughed and, gradually, a babble of talk broke out again. 

Nobody minded as the voice of Lily Potter filled the air, screaming and yelling about Death experiences, disappointments, and Quidditch bans, simply continuing their conversations.

,, This was the best breakfast we've had in a while." The twins said, grinning happily.

Celestia smiled back, petting both Fenris and Chrome as a thank you.

,, I'm fine you two.... truly." She assured, chuckling as Chrome wrapped his tiny arms around her neck, while Fenris's tail thumped happily from side to side under the desk.

Soon enough Professor Flitwick was moving along the table, handing out schedules. 

,, Good morning children! I hope you'll show as much enthusiasm in your studies as last year!" The small Professor greeted, handing out the schedules of not only Aiden, Celestia, and Hunter, but the entire group sitting together.

,, Thank you, Professor, we will." They all replied, smiling back at the Head of the House.

,, Geh.....double... Potions....with Slytherin." The twins said, slumping down in their chairs in utter defeat.

Sure, since last year the Slytherins had accepted the Weasley twins more, but Professor Snape was an entirely different matter.

The Potions Master still very much disliked them, the same going for the twins who hated Snape with a burning passion.

,, We all got Herbology together." Hannah said, quite happy about the outcome of their schedules.

,, Yeah, Professor Sprout will be happy once you introduce Fenris to her." Hunter said, smirking. ,, She's been eyeing him since the Opening Feast yesterday."

They chuckled at that and left the castle together, saying goodbye to the twins.

As they neared the greenhouses they saw the rest of the class standing outside, waiting for Professor Sprout. Their group had only just joined them when she came striding into view across the lawn, accompanied by Gilderoy Lockhart. Professor Sprout's arms were full of bandages, Celestia, Hannah, and Susan were looking at her worriedly, though they could see the Whomping Willow in the distance, several of its branches now in slings.

Professor Sprout was a squat little witch who wore a patched hat over her flyaway hair; there was usually a large amount of earth on her clothes and her fingernails would have made Narcissa faint. Gilderoy Lockhart, however, was immaculate in sweeping robes of turquoise, his golden hair shining under a perfectly positioned turquoise hat with gold trimming.

"Oh, hello there!" he called, beaming around at the assembled students. "Just been showing Professor Sprout the right way to doctor a Whomping Willow! But I don't want you running away with the idea that I'm better at Herbology than she is! I just happen to have met several of these exotic plants on my travels..."

Celestia at that wondered if she should ask the idiot if he maybe wanted to try drinking a tea brewed from the roots of a Water Hemlock. 

She honestly wouldn't mind seeing him live through the symptoms only get amnesia and long-lasting tremors from it.

"Greenhouse three today, chaps!" said Professor Sprout, who was looking distinctly disgruntled, not at all her usual cheerful self.

There was a murmur of interest. They had only ever worked in the greenhouse one before - greenhouse three housed far more interesting and dangerous plants. Professor Sprout took a large key from her belt and unlocked the door. Celestia caught a whiff of damp earth and fertilizer mingling with the heavy perfume of some giant, umbrella-sized flowers dangling from the ceiling and smiled as it reminded her of the Greenhouse she had worked years in.

"Harry! I've been wanting a word - you don't mind if he's a couple of minutes late, do you, Professor Sprout?"

Judging by Professor Sprout's scowl, she did mind, but Lockhart said, "That's the ticket," and closed the greenhouse door in her face.

They were not all that surprised by the behavior and simply followed Professor Sprout inside.

Celestia stood in between Regulus and Theo, Professor Sprout smiling as she looked at Chrome and Fenris.

,, While we're waiting for Professor Lockhart to release Mr. Potter, how about Miss Grindelwald introduces us to her new companion ?" The class immediately turned to her, eyes on the Niffler and Wolf.

,, Of course, Professor." Celestia agreed, nodding at Fenris who unsurely walked up to the plump Witch and sat down next to her, Chrome sitting as usual on his back.

,, Everyone, this is Fenris." Celestia introduced, Professor Sprout, smiling as she gently petted the Niffler and Wolf.

,, What breed is he ?" Sui Li, a fellow Ravenclaw asked, all of them interested.

Last year Professor Sprout had happily let Celestia introduce Chrome, the lesson having turned into one about Niffler and all of them got to pet him, something they enjoyed greatly because Chrome liked to jump from one person to the next, making it impossible to guess who would get to do it next.

Celestia offered a polite smile. ,, He's an Asgardian Wolf. He's still young so he's the size of a normal one, but by the time he's reached the age of seven he'll be a few heads taller than Professor Sprout." She lied, the others in awe over the information they had just received.

Celestia wasn't lying when she said that Fenris was an Asgardian Wolf, having seen one in person before, though it had been years ago and not under the best circumstances...

She was still trying to find out how Fenris managed to land himself in a German experiment facility of all places.

,, How did you find him ?" Hermione Granger asked, nose in the air as she looked at Celestia with a know-it-all expression.

The white-haired witch merely continued to smile politely. ,, He stumbled into the Garden of my Grandfather's manor when he smelled the food that was being prepared in the kitchens."

,, It happened once!" Fenris defended himself, looking at Celestia in betrayal, something that made most of the second year's chuckle, thinking he was embarrassed.

Hermione narrowed her eyes, ready to ask more, but unfortunately for her Harry had entered the greenhouse by that time, signaling an end to their questions about Fenris.

,, All right, now that Mr. Potter has returned, we'll continue with the lesson." Professor Sprout said, at which quite a few groaned, having wanted to know more about the Asgardian Wolf.

,, We'll be repotting Mandrakes today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake?"

Nine hands rose in the air. 

,, Miss Grindelwald-Lestrange."

,, A Mandrake, also known as Mandragora, the (European) Mandrake plant has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant in both the Muggle and the Wizarding World. It is a member of the nightshade family. It contains hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and mandragorin. Medically, it has been used as a pain killer and a sedative. It was used in ancient times for surgery. An overdose, though, can be fatal. We Wizards use it as a cure against Curses and Transfiguration Spells." She answered.

,, Wonderful! Take fifteen points to Ravenclaw." Said Professor Sprout, all the while Hermione Granger was gaping at them like someone had just Hexed her into acting like a fish. ,, The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. It is also, however, dangerous. Who can tell me why?" 

Once again nine hands shot up. ,, Mr. Nott."

,, The scream of a mature Mandrake, when it is unearthed, can kill any person who hears it, but a young Mandrake's screams will usually only knock a person out for several hours." Theo answered.

At that, they could have sworn that Mrs. Granger had turned into a Bulldog, almost growling as she sat down in her seat and glared at them for answering before her.

,, Precisely. Take fifteen points to Slytherin" said Professor Sprout. "Now, the Mandrakes we have here are still very young."

She pointed to a row of deep trays as she spoke, and everyone shuffled forward for a better look. A hundred or so tufty little plants, purplish green in color, were growing there in rows. 

"Everyone take a pair of earmuffs," said Professor Sprout.

There was a scramble as everyone tried to seize a pair that wasn't pink and fluffy.

"When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely covered," said Professor Sprout. "When it is safe to remove them, I will give you the thumbs-up. Right - earmuffs on ."

,, Reggie do you want to trade, mine are too big." Celestia asked, showing him the pair of white earmuffs.

,, Sure...... Let me do it." He said, taking his own pair of white ones and securing them over Celestia's ears, grasping her face in his hands in the process......

She tilted her head at him, watching as he looked deep into her eyes.

,, Is everything all right ?" She asked, breaking eye contact, worried that he might have some troubles.

His lips curved slightly upward as he nodded, knowing she would be unable to hear his answer. , This is the first time you have not immediately turned your head when I searched your gaze.'

She blushed as she heard his thoughts, Regulus smiling and letting go of her to put on his own pair of earmuffs.

Celestia quickly turned away from him, facing Professor Sprout, though Blaise shot her a grin, wiggling his eyebrows, which she skillfully ignored.

Professor Sprout put the pink, fluffy pair over her own ears, putting two small pairs on Fenris and Chrome, before rolling up the sleeves of her robes, grasping one of the tufty plants firmly, and pulling hard.

Instead of roots, a small, muddy, and extremely ugly baby popped out of the earth. The leaves were growing right out of his head. He had pale green, mottled skin, and was clearly bawling at the top of his lungs.

Professor Sprout took a large plant pot from under the table and plunged the Mandrake into it, burying him in dark, damp compost until only the tufted leaves were visible. Professor Sprout dusted off her hands, gave them all the thumbs-up, and removed her own earmuffs.

"As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet," she said calmly as though she'd just done nothing more exciting than water a begonia. "However, they will knock you out for several hours, and as I'm sure none of you want to miss your first day back, make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you work. I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up.

"Four to a tray - there is a large supply of pots here - compost in the sacks over there - and be careful of the Venemous Tentacula, it's teething."

She gave a sharp slap to a spiky, dark red plant as she spoke, making it draw in the long feelers that had been inching sneakily over her shoulder.

Their earmuffs were back on and they needed to concentrate on the Mandrakes. Professor Sprout had made it look extremely easy, but it wasn't. The Mandrakes didn't like coming out of the earth but didn't seem to want to go back into it either. They squirmed, kicked, flailed their sharp little fists, and gnashed their teeth; Harry spent ten whole minutes trying to squash a particularly fat one into a pot.

Celestia seemed to be the only one with no trouble, her Mandrake simply watching her as she got to work, while she hummed a gentle tune.

It even kept quiet as she buried it underneath the compost.

Professor Sprout was once again extremely proud of her favorite little Ravenclaw.

Celestia had been humming the entire time she worked, a trick many Herbologists with Veela blood used, since their allure wasn't as strong as that of an actual Veela they had easier control over their powers, especially their voice.

The humming or singing of a Veela female was said to be as enticing as that of a Siren, though the Siren would use it to attack victims, while female Veela could only use it to calm one down.

And what Plant would resist a beautiful song, specifically sung for them?

By the end of the class, mostly everyone else, was sweaty, aching, and covered in earth. Everyone traipsed back to the castle for a quick wash and then the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs hurried off to Potions.

Professor Snape started the lesson with theoretical questions and then made them pair up to present a perfect vile of Fire Protection Potion at the end of the lesson.

To say most were relieved when the lunch bell rang was an understatement, almost all of them hurrying off to the great hall to escape Professor Snape's Dungeon.

They went down to lunch, sitting down at the Slytherin table.

,, Was it just me, or did Snape look even more annoyed than usual?" Hunter asked, slumping down in his seat from exhaustion.

,, He did seem that way, didn't he ?" asked Susan, her and Hannah leaning against each other.

,, What do we have this afternoon ?" Blaise asked, as equally exhausted yet desperate to hear some kind of good news, to which Hannah took out her schedule.

,, Defense Against the Dark Arts," She and Susan chimed, making all the boys groan.

,, And why-" demanded Theo as he looked at the girl's schedule. ,, in the name of Celestia's Ancestors do you have all of Lockhart's lessons outlined with little hearts ?"

Hannah blushed crimson, quickly taking in back.

,, Don't tell me you two also have a crush on him." Aiden said, deadpanning.

,, Shut it Aiden!" The two girls huffed, still blushing.

,, I don't like him....... he smells like he bathes in bottles of Perfume." Fenris said, referring to Lockhart.

,, *Chuckle* Really ?" She asked, at which Chrome nodded, grasping his snout to show that the male reeked of it.

-----------------

Soon they left for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, arriving with most of the others.

Unlike last year Celestia decided against sitting down in the front, and sat down in the middle row, Regulus next to her.

She had sat in the front because no one else had wanted to and she actually liked Professor Quirrell, even if he was possessed by Lord Voldemort.

Gilderoy Lockhart on the other hand she found annoying.

When the whole class was seated, Lockhart cleared his throat loudly and silence fell. He reached forward, picked up Neville Longbottom's copy of Travels with Trolls, and held it up to show his own, winking portrait on the front.

"Me," he said, pointing at it and winking as well. "Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!"

He waited for them to laugh; a few people smiled weakly, while Regulus and her shared a look, both wanting to hex the idiot.

"I see you've all bought a complete set of my books - well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about - just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in--"

Celestia frowned at the papers in front of her. 

He wanted them to answer a test to his books and not actual Defense Against the Dark Arts?

When he had handed out the test papers he returned to the front of the class and said, "You have thirty minutes - start - now!"

Celestia looked down at her paper and read:

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart s favorite color?

2. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?

3. What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?

On and on it went, over three sides of the paper, right down to:

54. When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?

As she finished reading them she was just about ready to put it on fire.

,, Those questions are all about him..!." Blaise said, sitting a seat behind them.

,, What should we do ?" Theo asked, looking at Celestia.

Hunter and Aiden were in front of them, also listening, but keeping quiet.

,, We'll answer his questions.." She said, a cold look in her eyes. ,, But we'll answer them with the answers we believe to be correct."

The boys smirked, gladly following her wishes.

Half an hour later, Lockhart collected the papers and rifled through them in front of the class.

"Tut, tut - hardly any of you remembered that my favorite color is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti. And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves more carefully - I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic peoples - though I wouldn't say no to a large bottle of Ogdeds Old Firewhisky!"

He gave them another roguish wink, Chrome looking anything but happy as he did...

,, He hasn't reached ours yet as it seems...." Regulus said, at which Celestia smiled, seeing the man blinked in confusion as he looked at the following parchment.

,, He did, just now." She replied, eyes filled with amusement.

,, Someone must have thought I'd be confused by answering the questions in old Latin, but I can assure you-"

,, It's not Latin, it's Demonic Professor." Celestia answered, her face as polite as with any other Professor, which made it even more hilarious.

,, You once proclaimed that you were fluent in Demonic in one of your books.... If you said the truth you surely wouldn't mind reading my answers out loud, right ?" She asked, Hunter and Blaise shaking as they tried to hold back their laughter.

The class watched as Lockhart turned as pale as a sheet of Paper, which made her smirk the tiniest bit.

,, O-Of course not Miss Grindelwald-Lestrange!" He said, smiling nervously as he looked at her answers.

,, W-Well it seems you have made a mistake around question forty-two with one of the marks, but otherwise, it is correct." He said, looking very much like he was about to faint.

She continued smiling. ,, Question 42: What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite thing about himself ?" She repeated. ,, My answer can be translated into English as , The massive Golden Halo he seems to like to carry around with him wherever he goes.' "

The class laughed as Lockhart's face turned red.

Smiling she said. ,, I was testing you Professor and sadly you did not pass.... Especially since I wrote my answers in Russian and not in Demonic."

Everyone continued to laugh at Lockhart, Chrome laying on his back as he let himself laugh at the male's expression.

Even Regulus was laughing, the boy having buried his head into Celestia's shoulder to muffle the sound of it.

To regain control of the class again he bent down behind his desk and lifted a large, covered cage onto it.

"Now - be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm."

The class did indeed turn quiet, fearing what the man was up to.........

"I must ask you not to scream," said Lockhart in a low voice. "It might provoke them."

As the whole class held its breath, Lockhart whipped off the cover.

"Yes," he said dramatically. "Freshly caught Cornish pixies."

Seamus Finnigan couldn't control himself. He let out a snort of laughter that even Lockhart couldn't mistake for a scream of terror.

"Yes?" He smiled at Seamus.

"Well, they're not - they're not very - dangerous, are they?" Seamus choked.

"Don't be so sure!" said Lockhart, waggling a finger annoyingly at Seamus. "Devilish tricky little blighters they can be!"

The pixies were electric blue and about eight inches high, with pointed faces and voices so shrill it was like listening to a lot of budgies arguing. The moment the cover had been removed, they had started jabbering and rocketing around, rattling the bars and making bizarre faces at the people nearest them.

"Right, then," Lockhart said loudly. "Let's see what you make of them!" And he opened the cage.

It was pandemonium. The pixies shot in every direction like rockets. Two of them seized Neville Longbottom by the ears and lifted him into the air. Several shot straight through the window, showering the back row with broken glass. The rest proceeded to wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. They grabbed ink bottles and sprayed the class with them, shredded books and papers, tore pictures from the walls, up-ended the waste basket, grabbed bags and books, and threw them out of the smashed window; within minutes, half the class was sheltering under desks and Neville was swinging from the iron chandelier in the ceiling.

"Come on now - round them up, round them up, they're only pixies," Lockhart shouted.

He rolled up his sleeves, brandished his wand, and bellowed, " Peskipiksi Pesternomi! "

It had absolutely no effect and Celestia couldn't believe how bad the man actually was at using Magic; one of the pixies seized his wand and threw it out of the window, too. Lockhart gulped and dived under his own desk, narrowly avoiding being squashed by Neville, who fell a second later as the chandelier gave way.

Having had enough Celestia stood up and pointed her Wand in the air. ,, Immobulus!" 

The Pixies froze mid-air, and those who were in a close radius of her gulped as they saw her usually calm demeanor replaced with an expression of cold-hearted furry.

She looked straight at Lockhart and said. ,, I must say I liked Professor Quirrel more than you. Sure the man had an awful stutter, but at least he didn't set a cage full of Cornish Pixies on his students."

The man gulped in fear, but Celestia simply turned to the still-hiding students and said. ,, If someone is Injured or had their robes damaged please step forward, and I will show you how to fix it."