Imprisoned in the Past

Great Hall, Hogwarts, 9/1/1992, 18:37

Harry and Susan entered the hall with the throng of students and hurriedly took their seats at the Gryffindor table.

The ride up to the castle had been uneventful other than seeing a pair of aurors standing sentry on either side of the main gates through the grimy windows of their horseless carriage as they crossed through. Harry assumed that this had something to do with the ministry attempting to secure the castle against vampires though he didn't think the school had anything to worry about. With Hogwarts' ancient wards and Albus Dumbledore being the headmaster, Harry reckoned vampires would have to be insane to try and enter the school.

All around him students were catching up with their housemates and greeting friends from the neighbouring house tables as more and more students continued to trickle into the hall.

"Is that Missus Longbottom?" Susan asked as she glanced up at the head table in surprise.

"It is, I wonder what she's doing here?" Harry muttered as he spared the head table a quick glance.

"It's pretty obvious, isn't it? She's the new DADA professor," Susan said as she turned away from the head table.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Harry agreed feeling a bit sheepish for not making the connection.

"She's got to be, there are no other new professors that I can see," Susan said as she scanned the head table a second time

"Poor bloke," Harry muttered as he glanced over at the Hufflepuff table where Neville was seated next to Ernie McMillan.

"Who?" Susan asked in confusion as she turned to look back at him.

"Neville, of course. Now he can't get away with anything," Harry chuckled.

"He looks pretty happy to me and Neville usually doesn't get into much trouble anyway," Susan pointed out.

"Fair point. Sirius says Alice Longbottom and her husband were legends in the auror corp so I bet we'll learn loads this year," Harry said as he glanced up to see the woman in question was in conversation with Professor Peverell.

"Good because we didn't learn a thing from Quirrell," Susan beamed.

"No, we didn't," Harry agreed.

Before Susan could say anything else, Professor McGonagall entered the hall leading a line of first-years behind her.

Harry watched as the deputy headmistress led the first years to the front of the hall where the stool and sorting hat were already waiting. Harry saw a few first years he recognized, Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley being the most prominent.

Harry listened with half an ear as McGonagall explained how the sorting worked just like she had done for Harry the year before.

As soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, a tear in the sorting hat emitted a noise that sounded like a throat clearing before it burst into a very energetic song.

I am the Hogwarts' sorting hat,

Now listen to my song.

I'll guide you to your destiny,

And find the house where you belong.

Just place me on your head,

It shall not take me very long.

I've been doin' this for a thousand years,

And I have never yet been wrong.

Rather you be a Gryffindor,

Where the brave charge boldly forward.

Or perhaps you'll be in Hufflepuff,

Where your hard work will be rewarded.

Perhaps you are a Ravenclaw,

Where intellect is greatly prized.

Or maybe you belong in Slytherin,

Where being cunning is advised...

Harry tuned out the song as he realized that the lyrics were very different to the song from last year and he began wondering if perhaps the hat sang a different song every year or if the hat had different songs in rotation.

Harry was pulled from his musings when the hat completed its song to loud applause from the others in the hall. Harry turned to look toward the head table in time to see Professor McGonagall step forward and unroll a large scroll of parchment.

"When I call your name, please step forward and take a seat on the stool and I will place the sorting hat upon your head," McGonagall instructed the nervous first years in a crisp voice that easily carried around the hall

"Creevey, Colin," McGonagall called and a scrawny mousy brown-haired boy eagerly stepped forward a massive camera swinging from a strap on his neck as he hurried to the stool.

Colin Creevey took his seat and looked around the hall in wonder seeming to be absolutely thrilled to be here, not that Harry could really blame him.

As soon as Colin Creevey had taken his seat, Professor McGonagall placed the hat over his head so that the brim came down over the boy's nose.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat bellowed out Colin's house mere seconds after touching the boy's head.

Harry watched as the next student stepped forward and was quickly sorted into Hufflepuff.

Harry felt his stomach starting to growl as the hat very slowly began to sort the new first years. Harry wasn't very surprised when Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw, from what he knew of her, she was very intelligent if a tad bit quirky.

It seemed to take forever before McGonagall finally called out the name of the last student in line.

"Weasley, Ginevra."

Harry knew Ginny decently well from the previous summer, she attended Missy Cissa's day school. Ginny was shy and stuck mostly to Luna Lovegood.

Harry watched her make her way to the stool her face red with embarrassment from so many eyes watching her. Harry felt some sympathy, he would not want to be the last person in line for the sorting.

Ginny quickly arrived in front of the deputy headmistress and took a seat on the stool. When McGonagall placed the hat on her head the brim slipped all the way to her chin.

It seemed to take an inordinate amount of time before the hat called her house for the hall to hear.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The hat's proclamation caused muttering almost immediately as most were definitely not expecting a Weasley to be besorted into the house of serpents.

"My sister is a Slytherin," Harry heard Ron Weasley mutter looking gobsmacked.

"Slytherins aren't all bad, mate," Seamus assured him.

"I know that, my grandmother was in Slytherin," Ron said distractedly as he watched Ginny take a seat with Malcolm Harper at the Slytherin table.

"Well at least Draco will have some company," Susan whispered as McGonagall swept out of the hall carrying the stool and sorting hat.

"Yeah," Harry said distractedly as he looked towards the head table hoping that Dumbledore would hurty and make the foodappear.

Harry Peverell watched from the head table feeling a bit surprised that Ginny had gone to Slytherin this time around.

True she was more ambitious than her brothers (well maybe not Percy) but she had never struck him as having Slytherin traits. Harry supposed her tuition under Narcissa could have had something to do with her sorting but he wasn't sure if that explained it.

Harry was pulled from his thoughts as the headmaster rose to his feet making the students chattering to stop almost immediately.

"I would like to personally welcome our new first years and of course welcome back our returning students."

"I have quite a few announcements to make but I think that can wait until after we have eaten," Dumbledore proclaimed as food appeared on all five tables.

"It's about time," Alice exclaimed as she loaded a large steak onto her plate.

Harry had learned at the staff meeting that Alice Longbottom would be taking over as the DADA professor this year. That was a relief as he didn't have to worry about her trying to kill him... well, he hoped not anyway.

"At least he waited to make announcements until after we ate," Harry said fairly after he loaded his own plate with food.

"That's only because he knows pork chops are on the menu tonight," Alice said between large bites of steak.

Harry turned as he heard the great hall doors creak as they were pushed open. He turned to see Minerva sweep into the hall followed seconds later by two aurors dressed in their official red dress robes.

"Oh damn," Harry muttered as he recognized both of the two aurors and felt a sense of foreboding.

This year there would be an auror and an auror cadet stationed on campus due to the threat of vampires in the region.

Harry had already known that the senior auror would be Samantha Savage. He remembered that she had helped process the attack on his home a few years ago so he was somewhat familiar with her.

Harry was not pleased to find out that the third-year cadet was none other than Golria Mayweather the flirty blonde who had come onto him after the incident with Quirrell last May.

"What is it?" Alice asked curiously.

"It's Mayweather," Harry muttered unhappily as he indicated the blonde auror cadet walking next to Auror Savage.

Harry hoped that Auror Savage would keep the cadet in line as the last thing he needed was her shamelessly flirting with him at every meal.

"You got something against her?" Alice asked looking nonplussed.

"She's a bit... forward," Harry said as the cadet in question winked at him.

"I see. I guess it's good she's here and not back at the academy," Alice said after a moment.

"Why do you say that?" Harry asked.

"Frank's at the academy," Alice smirked.

"Doesn't help me much," Harry scowled.

"No, I suppose it doesn't," Alice agreed.

Harry watched as the two aurors took a seat at the end of the table near Professor Sinistra.

"So how do you feel about this term?" Alice asked.

"As long as the Weasley twins don't cause too much mischief, The year should go smoothly," Harry shrugged.

"Do you happen to know anything about cursebreaking?" Alice asked.

"A bit, why do you ask?" Harry said giving her a questioning look.

"I plan on looking into the curse over the defence post," Alice answered as the main course vanished and was soon replaced by the pudding course.

"I can give you a hand with that," Harry offered.

"I would appreciate that, I don't know if I want to return next year but I would like to have the option," Alice said as she helped herself to some chocolate cake.

"Not a problem, I could probably get Bella to help as well," Harry said as he cut a generous portion of treacle tart and put it on his plate.

"That would be lovely," Alice beamed.

"We should probably wait until Christmas to begin searching for the source of the curse," Harry said between bites of his dessert.

"True, then I can bring Frank into the search as well," Alice mused.

"Excellent, it'll be like a double date," Harry chuckled.

"Searching for a dark curse, that sounds very romantic," Alice sniggered.

"Bella will think so," Harry smirked.

"Considering you two slaughtered a score of giants on Valentine's Day, I am not surprised," Alice said with a knowing look.

Before Harry could refute the admittedly true accusation, the food vanished from all of the students' plates and the platters and bowls of food disappeared as well leaving the table in the same state it was in when he arrived an hour ago.

Dumbledore rose to his feet causing a hush to fall over the hall.

"Now that we have all dined on another wonderful meal prepared by our hardworking house elves, I have some start-of-term announcements to make."

"Firstly, as you probably noticed on your arrival, Hogwarts will be playing host to Senior Auror Samantha Savage and Cadet Auror Gloria Mayweather. They are here to ensure the security of school with the threat of vampires roaming around Scotland. I ask that you cooperate with them in any way you can and obey them as if they were any other professor."

"I would also ask that you give a hand to our newest member of staff, Professor Alice Longbottom who has agreed to take over the post of defence against the dark arts," Dumbledore proclaimed as he gestured to Alice.

Alice rose to her feet and waved to the students as excited applause broke out across the hall. Harry thought that her reputation must have preceded her because the students looked genuinely pleased with this announcement.

The rest of the announcements were the usual where Dumbledore passed along the updates to Filch's banned item lists, the reminder that the forest was forbidden as the name suggested, and that magic was not permitted in the halls between classes.

Harry listened with half an ear already anticipating his return home as soon as the feast was over. Most days he ate dinner at home but during school feasts, the headmaster requested he be in attendance. Harry didn't mind so much but he preferred to have dinner at his own home with Bella and the twins.

Finally, Dumbledore made the announcement about the quidditch tryouts. Harry couldn't help but notice that his nephew and his younger self were hanging on Dumbledore's every word.

Harry sighed internally when Dumbledore dismissed the students and excited chatter and the sound of scraping benches filled the hall.

"Well, I think I am going home," Harry said to Alice as he rose to his feet.

"Be careful out there," Alice said and Harry gave her a nod.

Harry followed the students out of the hall pleased to see they were all in good spirits and paid him no mind.

As he slipped out of the castle and began crossing the grounds, Harry couldn't help but feel pleased about the start of a new school year as he had come to enjoy his teaching position.

Before he knew it, he was stepping through the gates. When Harry looked back towards the castle he was a bit surprised to spot the two aurors patrolling the grounds near the lake.

Crossing through the wards, Harry turned on the spot and apparated home hoping that he made it home before the twins went to bed for the night.

Hogwarts, Grounds, 9/2/1992, 10:49

Harry was overseeing his fourth-year Gryffindor/Hufflepuff class this morning. This year he was starting his fourth years off with a fun lesson that he remembered from his own fourth-year care of magical creatures lessons, nifflers. Just like Hagrid, he had buried a hundred gold coins in the ground around where he taught his classes and the fourth-years would each take a niffler and then send it out in search of the coins. He planned on giving the winner a large chunk of Honeydukes chocolate just like Hagrid had done in his fourth year.

The students were currently sitting crosslegged on the ground as they sent their nifflers out to find gold. Every so often a niffler would pop out of the ground and drop a few coins in their partners' lap before diving back under the ground.

Harry watched as a niffler burst out of the ground in front of Angelina Johnson and deposited a few coins in her lap before it went back to search for more. Even from a cursory glance, Harry could tell Angelina was in the lead and had a sizeable pile of gold in her lap.

He was pretty sure that most if not all of the coins he had buried were now accounted for. As if to emphasize this point, Angelina's niffler came back to her a minute later with a single coin. The niffler dropped the coin onto her pile and climbed into her arms showing no interest in searching for more gold.

"Alright, I think that may be the last of the coins," Harry called out when George's niffler dropped a single coin in his lap and did not attempt to search for more.

"I do believe the nifflers have found all of the coins I buried," Harry said as he watched more of the nifflers remain above ground after returning to the human they were partnered with.

"Can we keep the gold we found, sir?" Fred Weasley asked hopefully.

"You can but it won't do you much good, that is leprechaun gold, Weasley," Harry snorted.

"What is leprechaun gold, Professor?" Angelina asked as she absentmindedly stroked her niffler's back.

"Leprechauns are mischievous creatures. They create these gold coins as a practical joke of sorts. If you don't know what you're looking at, the coins seem completely real but over the span of a few hours they will vanish right out of your pockets," Harry explained.

"How do you tell the difference between leprechaun gold and the real thing, sir?" Kenneth Towler asked with interest.

"Well, the markings etched into the leprechaun coins usually say something humorous," Harry chuckled before turning to Angelina who was letting her niffler snuggle into her beck.

"Miss Johnson, can I borrow one of your coins?" Harry asked.

"Of course, sir," Angelina said as she offered him one of the coins from the pile in her lap.

"Thank you," Harry said as he took the coin and read the message stamped into it and couldn't fight a smile.

"On a real galleon, there is a series of numbers stamped into it from the goblin that hammered the coin. However on this coin, there is a message that is meant to be... humorous," Harry lectured.

"What does it say, sir?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.

"They're after me Lucky Charms," Harry said as he read the message again.

"You can't be serious, professor?" Cedric Diggory asked looking at Harry disbelievingly.

"See for yourself," Harry said as he tossed the coin to Cedric.

Cedric caught the coin on reflex and stared at it in amazement before tossing it back.

"You really weren't making that up, sir," Cedric muttered sounding very disconcerted.

"No, I imagine they all say that," Harry said causing the students to inspect their coins and nod in the affirmative.

"Are the leprechauns up to date on all muggle things or just cereal, sir?" Amanda Mallory asked from her place next to Cedric.

"I have no idea, perhaps they find muggle depictions of themselves amusing," Harry mused as he handed Angelina her coin back as well as the chocolate for collecting the most gold coins.

"Now back to nifflers, we have about a half hour left of class left. Please sketch your nifflers as best you can," Harry instructed.

Harry watched as his students began to try and get situated so they could sketch their niffler but the cute little buggers were not cooperating.

The nifflers were quite clingy and wanted to snuggle with their temporary caretakers making it difficult for the students to sketch them.

Not long after he had set them to sketching their nifflers, the bell rang over the grounds signalling the end of the lesson.

"Alright, that's us done for the day. I want a foot on the characteristics of nifflers and your completed sketch by our next lesson. If you wish, you can come down after dinner to finish your sketches," Harry said before his class could scamper back to the castle.

Harry heard a few groans as his students made their way up to the castle for lunch and just rolled his eyes having become accustomed to his students' complaints.

"You really are a strict professor," a familiar voice cooed behind him causing Harry to subconsciously smile.

"If I don't act the part, my students will sense weakness," Harry said as he turned to face his wife who was holding one of the nifflers as she leaned against the gamekeeper's hut.

"I remember being a student, we could always tell which teacher was a pushover," Bella smiled as she closed the distance between them and placed a kiss on his lips.

"So what do I owe the pleasure?" Harry asked as he led her over to the crates where the other nifflers were kept.

"I was meeting with the proprietor of Gladrags so I figured I would stop by," Bella said as she placed the niffler into an empty crate.

"Excellent, care to join me for lunch?" Harry offered.

"As long as we don't eat here," Bella bargained.

"Alright, I have a free period after lunch, let's go to the village," Harry beamed.

"Then let's go to lunch," Bella said as she looped her arm through his.

Harry led his wife down the path to the gates, waving at a few students he passed along the way. He hadn't been expecting his wife to show up today but he couldn't deny that it was a welcome surprise.

Twenty minutes later the two of them were sitting in the Three Broomsticks waiting on their order to arrive.

"The manor is getting close to being ready, I was thinking we could move there on Halloween," Bellatrix said after a moment.

"I'm still a little concerned with the vampire issue," Harry said hesitantly.

"According to the ministry, Leeds has been cleared," Bella pointed out.

"I would still feel better if we gave the place a look ourselves," Harry admitted.

"Then let's go take a look," Bella said sounding excited at the prospect of getting to hunt vampires.

"Alright, we'll have a look about this weekend," Harry said as Madam Rosmerta brought their food to the table.

They waited until their waitress left before they took a few bites and then continued their conversation.

"How did it goat Gladrags?" Harry asked after swallowing a bite of steak and kidney pie.

"Good, they want five hundred of my razors," Bella beamed.

"We may have to see about hiring somebody to help you with manufacturing," Harry said thoughtfully.

"I actually plan to hire someone on a part-time basis," Bellatrix admitted.

"Dare I ask?" Harry said giving his wife a curious look.

"Do you remember that werewolf that you obliviated?" Bellatrix smirked.

"You hired Lupin?" Harry exclaimed.

"I did. He was the only one I interviewed who could enchant the razor correctly," Bella shrugged.

"Well if goes anywhere near my niece I will turn him into a rug," Harry said flatly.

"He'll be working evenings starting next week," Bellatrix said looking amused at Harry's last statement.

"Good, that should take the workload off of you a bit," Harry said.

"Yes, When I started selling those things I had no idea they would become so popular," Bellatrix admitted.

"On the upside, you're making us a fortune," Harry said reasonably.

"True, so how is your first day?" Bella asked.

"I think the Weasley twins have been cowed... for now," Harry said between bites of his lunch.

"Or they're luring you into a false sense of security," Bella grinned.

"There is that but I am hoping that it's the former," Harry admitted.

"I am sure you are," Bella giggled.

"I meant to tell you last night, Alice Longbottom asked me to help her break the curse on the defence post," Harry said before taking a sip of his butterbeer.

"Really?" Bella asked in surprise.

"Yes, it's not exactly a secret that defence professors don't last very long," Harry shrugged.

"And you wanted me to apply for the position," Bella said with a quirked eyebrow.

"Well, I had planned on breaking it if you did take the post," Harry defended.

"So I suppose you are going to help her?" Bellatrix asked sounding amused.

"I am, I was hoping you wouldn't mind helping as well," Harry said giving her an inquiring look.

"I will think about it," Bella said looking thoughtful.

"No hurry, I plan on beginning my search during winter break," Harry assured her.

"That sounds like the perfect time to search for a dark curse," Bella giggled.

"The school will be almost empty so the students won't be underfoot," Harry agreed.

"I will look into the curse myself and let you know what I learn," Bella promised.

"Thanks, I may take a look through the Hogwarts library if I get the chance," Harry said as he pushed his empty plate to the edge of the table.

After this, they were forced to part ways. Harry had one more class to teach that afternoon and Bella had to be home when the twins returned from their lessons with Narcissa.

Harry was in a very good mood when he returned to the castle and didn't even notice Mayweatger's attempts to catch his eye as he passed through the gates.

Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton, 9/3/1992, 23:49

Voldemort paced the floor of his study as he considered the information Quirinus had just relayed.

It would seem the nearby village of Little Hangleton had developed a vampire infestation of late. According to his death eater who visited the village pub regularly the village was almost entirely composed of vampires now!

He had already sent a letter requesting a meeting with Daciana but had yet to hear back from her. He remembered her telling him that she had fed on one of the villagers but hadn't thought much about it at the time. Now he realized that mistake, vampires spread their virus at an alarming rate and that one new vampire had infected the inhabitants of the village in less than a month!

Unfortunately, vampires were the least of his concerns right now. The Reaper had attacked another one of his high-ranking followers just days ago dwindling his already depleted ranks even further!

Voldemort was seriously toying with the idea of breaking his other followers out of the ministry's custody regardless of the difficulties involved. Figuring out the logistics would be a nightmare but he was confident he could accomplish his goal if he thought on the problem long enough.

The benefits of freeing some of his best could be worth the effort particularly if he freed Mulciber who had an affinity with the imperius curse.

There was also Travers who was quite useful in his right as was Jugson and Gibbon who both had a gift with the cruciatus curse.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait for later, at the moment he was planning on how to rescue Merula after her trial was complete. She could not be interrogated by the ministry so he either needed to find a way to free her or have her killed before she was questioned.

The big attack was getting closer, hopefully, all of the efforts he had put into training his servants over the summer would pay off on Halloween night. He had been planning this attack for months and had been very thorough in his planning hoping to have contingency plans in place for every scenario.

Voldemort was interrupted in his musings as Auror Dawlish entered his study and approached the desk he was seated behind.

Voldemort looked over his servant trying to gauge the reason the man was here. John did not seem very nervous so Voldemort was inclined to believe that whatever the reason for this visit was, it probably wasn't to deliver bad news.

"John, to what do I owe this visit? I hope you have good news for me" Voldemort asked after letting his servant stew for a few moments.

"I have just received word that Merula Snyde will be transported to the British ministry by portkey at five o'clock Sunday evening, my lord," Dawlish answered at once looking at his master hopeful.

"Where will the portkey arrive at the ministry?" Voldemort questioned giving his servant no indication of what he thought of this news.

"The atrium, my lord. After the assassination of Grindlewald, there are only two locations one can portkey into the ministry and Bones doesn't want the Bulgarian transport team to interfere with the civilian portkey arrival area," Dawlish explained.

"Then there will likely be dozens of aurors overseeing the transport," Voldemort mused.

"Yes, my lord. The atrium will be closed to the public from four-thirty to five-thirty for security," Dawlish elaborated.

"I see. Do you have any clue as to the aurors which of your colleagues have clearance to visit the holding facility?" Voldemort questioned.

"Bones, Scrimgeour, and Moody for sure I believe that Williamson, Shacklebolt and Proudfoot have clearance as well, my lord," Dawlish replied.

"I assume that Miss Snyde will be transported immediately to the holding facility?" Voldemort mused.

"Yes my lord, she will arrive a five o 'clock by one minute after five she will be portkeyed to the facility," Dawlish agreed.

"So we have sixty seconds to affect a rescue and leave the ministry," Voldemort said as he began forming a strategy.

"It may be possible to place your own transportation wards over the ministry atrium, my lord," Dawlish suggested.

"Indeed. I need you to get me an up-to-date schematic of the ministry wards by Saturday so I can determine if that will be an option," Voldemort commanded.

"As you wish, my lord," Dawlish replied as he bowed his head respectfully.

"Then go see to your task, John," Voldemort said by way of dismissal.

Voldemort watched his servant leave in short order and pondered this new information. If he had to make an appearance in the ministry then so be it but one way or the other, the interrogation of Merula Snyde would never happen.