Hogsmeade and Halloween
Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, Wizard and God, was walking around the village of Hogsmeade in his persona of Garrick Septimus, Defense Professor. It was Hogwarts first Hogsmeade weekend and, like many Professors, agreed to be present to ensure the students didn't get out of control.
It was much the same as it would be years later in his own world.
Feeling thirsty – or at least desiring something to drink – Gary made his way to the Three Broomsticks. After ordering mead and receiving a glass, he sipped the drink while watching the students interact.
Gary was glad for the mead as drinking it allowed him to hide the smile when a particular couple walked in. A nervous Peter Pettigrew was leading in a starry-eyed Petunia Evans.
From overhearing the gossip, Peter had sent an owl to Petunia's parents asking for their permission for her to arrive early and experience Hogsmeade, which they had heard about from Lily previously.
After ordering butterbeer, the two sat at a table talking. The other Marauders and Lily Evans and her friends coincidentally arrived shortly thereafter and Gary noted the attempts at being sly in watching the two.
The dance of teenage hormones was quite fun to watch when it didn't involve oneself.
Another arrival was quite interesting: Severus Snape arrived by himself. Severus was wearing a wizard's robe which was not his normal Hogwarts attire. It was deep green and, while it wasn't acromatula silk, it was not the threadbare and worn clothes he had previously been commonly seen wearing.
Even at this distance, Gary could feel the confusion of some of those who observed him.
Soon, however, a more worrying sight was seen: Lucius Malfoy walked in with his superior look on his somewhat young face. The twenty-one year old Pureblood had not yet taken to carrying his cane with wand, but he was wearing robes of superior quality.
Upon sighting Severus Snape, Lucius' eyes lit up in a way that Gary found … troublesome. He saw the man walk over to the boy. Gary tuned his ears to listen in.
"Hello! You are Severus Snape if I remember correctly." Severus nodded. "If you remember, I am Lucius Malfoy. I was Seventh Year prefect when you began Hogwarts. I haven't seen you since your first year. How is Hogwarts these days?"
"I remember you quite well, Mr. Malfoy. Hogwarts is … well, I have to say I am enjoying myself."
"Oh?" Lucius was taken aback. From rumours, this boy was bullied ceaselessly from the Gryffindors and should be ripe for the taking. "You are in your OWL year, are you not? Isn't that quite taxing?"
Severus nodded. "Oh, it is a lot of work. But I am doing well with it. I have recently been relieved of a number of distractions though and I find that my education is much more enjoyable thereby."
"Good, good," Lucius said, contradicting what Gary could feel he was truly feeling. "What kind of distractions got relieved, if I may be so curious?"
Severus gave a small smile. "First, my mother has been relieved of the sad excuse that my father was. He is gone and steps have been taken to ensure he never darkens our lives again. My mother no longer has to live as a Muggle – which means that I no longer have to live that way either. And the Hogwarts staff have improved quite a few things this year, making a more comfortable learning environment, especially in potions which is my best subject. The new Defense Professor has also been extremely competent, unlike the dunderheads we were saddled with previously. Added to the improvements in the Library, Hogwarts has been absolutely wonderful this year."
"It's hard to believe that a few changes can make such a difference. I heard that they still have that group of Gryffindors making the other students' lives annoying." Lucius was not truly in the loop – he was just guessing.
"Actually, the staff has stamped down on bullying, led by the new Defense Professor. A humorous prank here and there is let go, but the instances of them crossing the line have all but ceased. In fact, that group of Gryffindors recently assisted a Slytherin girl who was being treated poorly by a Ravenclaw boy. I might not like them any more than I did, but they have been … unproblematic this year." Severus sipped his drink. He then said with a small smile, "Perhaps they are just growing up now, like the rest of us."
Lucius was a bit irritated. The reports of this boy being a discontented youth was out of date. He decided to use this connection to learn about what was happening in Hogwarts for his master. But first, one more avenue perhaps …
"Well, I am happy to hear that. What plans do you have once you complete Hogwarts?" Lucius asked.
"I plan on achieving my Potions Mastery shortly thereafter. It has long been one of my goals," Severus replied.
"Ambitious, just as a proper Slytherin should be. Have you considered that you might need a sponsor to achieve that?" Lucius was slippery when trying to get what he wanted.
"Oh, I have already made great strides. Already the works of my cousin and I are being reviewed by Potions Masters. I believe that if you keep an eye out, by September 1 of next year, the first fruits shall be obvious."
Lucius was about to enquire about this cousin the boys spoke of when they were interrupted. "Mr. Snape! How has your weekend been?" Professor Septimus asked.
"It has been quite enjoyable. Professor Septimus, I am please to introduce Lucius Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy was the Seventh-year prefect during my first year. Mr. Malfoy, this is Professor Garrick Septimus, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts."
Gary reached out his hand and smile. "Mr. Malfoy. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
Lucius returned the handshake. "As am I, Professor. I don't recognize your name though."
"Yes, well, my name is from a magical family on the continent. If you should happen to peruse records from the Wizarding families of the Romans, we pop up regularly in various histories under the Line of Septimus," Gary responded with an easy smile. "I have heard the name Malfoy. Your family is quite well powerful in governmental circles in Britain if I remember correctly."
Malfoy preened a little bit. "Yes, we are. We've been a fixture since the time of King William the First. We were advisors for him when he took the English throne."
"Smashing pedigree. It was wonderful to meet you. Severus? I was planning on introducing Lily and Petunia to another person. Would you like to tag along?"
Severus looked curious, curious enough to let go the conversation with the Slytherin graduate. "Mr. Malfoy. It was good to speak to you. Should you ever need something I can provide, contact me by owl at Hogwarts."
Lucius withdrew quietly using his own platitudes. Gary knew exactly how annoyed he was at being interrupted, but … then again that was Gary's whole point.
Severus tagged along as Gary first walked up to Lily and then to Petunia. Soon, there was quite the cavalcade (minus the horses) walking down the Hogsmeade road. They soon arrived at the Hogs Head.
Petunia looked at the ratty building with some distaste. "Who is so important to meet here?" she asked.
Gary smiled and replied, "Another relative that you have."
The Marauders were taken aback even as Severus looked curious.
Gary led them inside. The Hogshead wasn't quite as grimy as he remembered it, but it definitely did not have that "welcoming" aura that most Hogsmeade businesses tried to give Hogwarts students. Gary walked right up to the bar.
A man who looked remarkably like the Headmaster said, "What do you need?"
"Oh, no. I don't need anything. I wanted to introduce you to a couple of people."
Abe looked mildly curious. "Oh?"
Gary motioned the two girls forward. "Mr. Albeforth Dumbledore" (Age grimaced slightly as he often did when someone used his last name – only Severus noticed though) "recently it came to light that your father had a brother who was a squib. He had children, and grandchildren and now, great-grandchildren. I would like to introduce you to Lily and Petunia Evans, your first cousins, twice removed." He turned toward the girls, "Girls? I introduce you to the Headmaster's younger brother, Abe, who is a cousin of yours, and the owner of the Hogs Head Inn."
Albeforth Dumbeldore was amazed. He hadn't known he had any other relatives other than his brother. "Wow. Cousins. I had no idea. I believe you deserve at least a butterbeer from me." He quickly got two bottles and uncapped them and handed them to the girls. "The rest have to buy their own," he said with some asperity.
Gary laughed. "I should have warned you. Abe is famous as somewhat of a curmudgeon. Don't take it personally. I'll pay for the rest of them – butterbeer only. Not old enough for fire-whiskey – except Petunia here but she's not quite ready for that I think."
Gary paid for the whole group and they all toasted the finding of new family members. For about an hour, interrupted at different times when Abe had to serve other customers, they got to know the relative they had just met.
Both promised to come back and say hello regularly. Abe had softened (only a tiny bit) and told them he looked forward to it – he didn't easily volunteer that but Gary prodded him.
Gary left them shortly thereafter, amused, as he saw the Marauders gravitate toward the various girls that Lily had brought with her: Sirius toward Marlene McKinnon, Remus toward a girl names Mary, and James with Lily. Petunia and Peter finished off the group, though they stood back a bit, chatting with each other.
Gary also was quite happy to have interrupted Malfoy's obvious recruitment interview (obvious to him anyway). He was perfectly willing to draw attention toward himself and away from others who could be corrupted with a few kind words or actions.
Thank God, Gary mused, that Severus was now much more confident in himself with the changes this year.
Gary noticed an increase in curiosity from some of the older Slytherins and even a Ravenclaw or two over the weeks following the trip to Hogsmeade. He guessed that there were efforts being made to learn more about him.
Gary ensured any attempt to disrupt his classes were squashed down tight before they even had a chance to begin – it was fairly easy as a God to suss out such things. Just as it was easy to ensure that it wasn't obvious as to why such attempts failed before they even began – a Detention from another teacher, a target being paired with a student that they didn't want to annoy, even the Headmaster showing up to watch lessons on occasion. Each of these had stopped one effort or another to provide a disruption in Professor Septimus' class.
The Marauders had been mostly quiet as far as pranks went. While some wondered why, Gary knew: They were concentrating on learning their Animagus transformations. While they would likely not be ready by the 20th of October, the 18th of November was looking fairly good for them.
Remus had found out and was looking even more friendly than normal toward his friends.
Gary sat at his desk contemplating the book he had in front of him. He had planned on having to teach the Marauders a much more severe lesson about humiliation and pranks but, luckily for them even if he was slightly disappointed, they had learned much more easily than he had expected.
He had quite amused himself with the idea of the Four Marauders playing the parts listed in the book.
He had constructed quite the plan to recreate the Wizard of Oz with James as the Tinman (needing a Heart), Sirius as the Cowardly Lion (needing Courage), Remus as the Scarecrow (if I only had a Brain) and Peter as Dorothy (just wanting to get the flock out of there), but the four had settled down and started acting mature – it was almost disheartening. Still, he could hold it in reserve for the future. He would have to tell Albus he no longer needed to play the Great Wizard of Oz – he could just imagine his disappointment.
Gary watched in amusement and interest as Hogwarts prepared for Halloween, which was on a Friday this year.
For the first time he could remember, Gary got a chance to experience a Hogwarts Halloween without being attacked, weird petrifactions, intruders, a tournament, High Inquisitor, or something else to make it less fun.
The whole thing was entirely enjoyable and Gary went to bed cheerful and happy. He would later curse himself for jinxing it (even a God had some respect for Murphy).
Later that night
Lord Voldemort looked at his followers. They were outside of a Muggle home.
"Good Evening my Death Eaters! I have learned from my friends at the Ministry that this house contains not one, but two, of the Mudblood filth. If nothing is done, they will eventually be brought to Hogwarts to contaminate further our world."
He looked around. "I am certain that at least one or two of you can, perhaps, take steps to prevent this tragedy from taking place. Lord Voldemort always rewards enthusiasm, after all." With a cold smile, he watched several masked figures descend upon the previously unaware Muggle home.
It was time to show the fools who ran the Ministry his willingness to act.