Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other books written by J. K. Rowling.
Original characters are my own invention and are protected under copy write laws.
Chapter One: Headlines
LOCKHART FOUND DEAD!
The Daily Prophet
Gilderoy Lockhart was found dead last evening in Hogsmead. Aurors had little to say to the press before printing time, but from the green gilled, seasoned Aurors fleeing the scene and the careless comment by a new recruit, ôSo much blood, so much bloodà,ö one has to wonder what happened to such a beloved man.
Known to many a lovesick witch or wizard, Lockhart was known for his charm and singular wit. The author of several books, Lockhart was a gifted fighter for the Light. Rumors abounded that he had taken the position as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts this coming term. If true, the curse of the DADA position has struck spectacularly early this year, taking with it a soul that will surely be missed.
12345678987654321
Glancing at the headline of the paper again, Albus Dumbledore sat in thought behind his desk. He hadnÆt had much rest since the alarm went out last evening. Remembering only too well, he thought back to a smiling new professor accepting the position in person before leaving for Hogsmead for some celebrating. Not more than two hours later and all hell had broken loose. Professor Lockhart had been found dead out behind The Three Broomsticks by a now catatonic Madam Rosmarita.
The Aurors had been called at once, and upon finding the contract in an intact pocket, had come up to the castle to see him. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Albus had described his last moments with the poor man before they asked him for his professional opinion. What he saw when he arrived at the scene was indescribable. After the initial shock wore off, he asked that Hagrid have a chance to look.
An expert on the denizens of the nearby Forbidden Forest, Hagrid had seen much in his time as HogwartsÆ Game Keeper. This, however, was far out of the ordinary. The ômanö had been ripped to literal shreds by something with really sharp claws. Pieces of the body were cut so cleanly that there was no slashing blood splatter. Of the pieces found, three had bite marks that could only have come from something very large. The head was one such piece; the back being a hollowed out section where the brain used to be located. As far as he could tell, almost all of the blood was still present and most of the body was still around. Aurors had found pieces on the roof, imbedded in the outer wall, and hanging from nearby tree branches. The only parts found to be missing were his brain and his genitals.
After having had all of the available professors research what may have been behind the attack, Albus had turned over his findings to the Aurors in charge of the case. The search led to very few possible motives or culprits. The three best options for further research were certain dark rituals that called for the parts missing as ingredients, a jealous lover, or a summoned Demon.
Putting aside the death would be hard, he knew, but as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus suddenly had a position to fill again. Searching for a new DADA professor each year was becoming tiring and he hoped that his next hire would last longer. Lockhart had been his last, best hope for a British teacher this year. Opening a desk drawer, he pulled out a black metal disk with buttons around the edges. Tapping the hilt of his wand against a combination of buttons he waited for a moment for a face to appear above the disk before speaking, ôHello, Ryan. I wish I was calling under better circumstances but I have a need for a new Defense Professor after recent unfortunate events.ö
Ryan OÆBrian had been anticipating the overseas call ever since he had received his copy of the World Wizarding News. The Secretary of Magic of the United States was a demanding job that OÆBrian had served to the best of his ability for the last six years. A onetime graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, OÆBrian knew intimately the woes of the Headmaster in his yearly hunt for DADA professors. He greeted the Headmaster with a question, ôSo, itÆs true then that he was to be a professor? My condolences are with you in your loss. As per usual at this time of year I have a list of wizards and witches seeking teaching positions out of country for you to peruse. YouÆll note, as always, that suspected Death Eaters are marked in red, suspected Quonsets are marked in orange, and new names of unaffiliated wizards and witches seeking Dark Defense teaching posts are marked in green,ö he said before shrinking down the list and floating it over to the center of the disk.
The list slowly appeared floating over the middle of AlbusÆs disk and after a count of five he summoned and un-shrunk the list. ôRyan, what are all these names in bright yellow?ö
Sighing, Ryan spoke, ôThose are the names of people that retracted their wish to teach at Hogwarts after the morning news arrived. IÆm afraid that there is only one green name left on the list. A recent addition to the list, he is listed in our records as a Master in several branches of magic and is listed as receiving most of his training from Apprenticeships. LetÆs see, Masters in Dark Defense, Occlumency, Legilliamncy, Telepathy, Crystallography, Transfiguration, and Sensuality. Are you interested?ö
ôIÆll at least give him an interview. Have him call me via disk ASAP.ö
ôSure thing, Professor, may your next call be under better circumstances,ö Ryan said before cutting the connection. Writing a quick note to the man in question, OÆBrian, silently wished that that particular pain would meet his end in England.
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Thus ends the first teaser chapter of this work. Please tell me what you think.
Original characters are my own invention and are protected under copy write laws.
Chapter One: Headlines
LOCKHART FOUND DEAD!
The Daily Prophet
Gilderoy Lockhart was found dead last evening in Hogsmead. Aurors had little to say to the press before printing time, but from the green gilled, seasoned Aurors fleeing the scene and the careless comment by a new recruit, ôSo much blood, so much bloodà,ö one has to wonder what happened to such a beloved man.
Known to many a lovesick witch or wizard, Lockhart was known for his charm and singular wit. The author of several books, Lockhart was a gifted fighter for the Light. Rumors abounded that he had taken the position as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts this coming term. If true, the curse of the DADA position has struck spectacularly early this year, taking with it a soul that will surely be missed.
12345678987654321
Glancing at the headline of the paper again, Albus Dumbledore sat in thought behind his desk. He hadnÆt had much rest since the alarm went out last evening. Remembering only too well, he thought back to a smiling new professor accepting the position in person before leaving for Hogsmead for some celebrating. Not more than two hours later and all hell had broken loose. Professor Lockhart had been found dead out behind The Three Broomsticks by a now catatonic Madam Rosmarita.
The Aurors had been called at once, and upon finding the contract in an intact pocket, had come up to the castle to see him. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Albus had described his last moments with the poor man before they asked him for his professional opinion. What he saw when he arrived at the scene was indescribable. After the initial shock wore off, he asked that Hagrid have a chance to look.
An expert on the denizens of the nearby Forbidden Forest, Hagrid had seen much in his time as HogwartsÆ Game Keeper. This, however, was far out of the ordinary. The ômanö had been ripped to literal shreds by something with really sharp claws. Pieces of the body were cut so cleanly that there was no slashing blood splatter. Of the pieces found, three had bite marks that could only have come from something very large. The head was one such piece; the back being a hollowed out section where the brain used to be located. As far as he could tell, almost all of the blood was still present and most of the body was still around. Aurors had found pieces on the roof, imbedded in the outer wall, and hanging from nearby tree branches. The only parts found to be missing were his brain and his genitals.
After having had all of the available professors research what may have been behind the attack, Albus had turned over his findings to the Aurors in charge of the case. The search led to very few possible motives or culprits. The three best options for further research were certain dark rituals that called for the parts missing as ingredients, a jealous lover, or a summoned Demon.
Putting aside the death would be hard, he knew, but as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus suddenly had a position to fill again. Searching for a new DADA professor each year was becoming tiring and he hoped that his next hire would last longer. Lockhart had been his last, best hope for a British teacher this year. Opening a desk drawer, he pulled out a black metal disk with buttons around the edges. Tapping the hilt of his wand against a combination of buttons he waited for a moment for a face to appear above the disk before speaking, ôHello, Ryan. I wish I was calling under better circumstances but I have a need for a new Defense Professor after recent unfortunate events.ö
Ryan OÆBrian had been anticipating the overseas call ever since he had received his copy of the World Wizarding News. The Secretary of Magic of the United States was a demanding job that OÆBrian had served to the best of his ability for the last six years. A onetime graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, OÆBrian knew intimately the woes of the Headmaster in his yearly hunt for DADA professors. He greeted the Headmaster with a question, ôSo, itÆs true then that he was to be a professor? My condolences are with you in your loss. As per usual at this time of year I have a list of wizards and witches seeking teaching positions out of country for you to peruse. YouÆll note, as always, that suspected Death Eaters are marked in red, suspected Quonsets are marked in orange, and new names of unaffiliated wizards and witches seeking Dark Defense teaching posts are marked in green,ö he said before shrinking down the list and floating it over to the center of the disk.
The list slowly appeared floating over the middle of AlbusÆs disk and after a count of five he summoned and un-shrunk the list. ôRyan, what are all these names in bright yellow?ö
Sighing, Ryan spoke, ôThose are the names of people that retracted their wish to teach at Hogwarts after the morning news arrived. IÆm afraid that there is only one green name left on the list. A recent addition to the list, he is listed in our records as a Master in several branches of magic and is listed as receiving most of his training from Apprenticeships. LetÆs see, Masters in Dark Defense, Occlumency, Legilliamncy, Telepathy, Crystallography, Transfiguration, and Sensuality. Are you interested?ö
ôIÆll at least give him an interview. Have him call me via disk ASAP.ö
ôSure thing, Professor, may your next call be under better circumstances,ö Ryan said before cutting the connection. Writing a quick note to the man in question, OÆBrian, silently wished that that particular pain would meet his end in England.
--------
Thus ends the first teaser chapter of this work. Please tell me what you think.
