Puppet Strings (Hogwarts x Reader)

Chapter 2

Y/n met Ginny's eyes. The girl gave her a small, comforting smile, and Y/n was surprised how much better it made her feel.

And yet....there was something about what the hat had said...

There is something inside you, something that I can't quite put my finger on....something your brother didn't have...

She could see the High Table properly now. In the center of the High Table, in a large gold chair, sat Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore's silver hair was the only thing in the whole hall that shone as brightly as the ghosts. Y/n spotted Professor Lupin, too, still in his shabby robes. Strange how someone so young could look so aged at the same time.

"Is it true?" came a voice from a few seats down. Y/n looked up to see Malfoy sniggering.

"Your brother fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? He actually fainted?"

"Shove off," Y/n muttered. If this is what she was going to have to deal with at Hogwarts....well. It was going to be a very long few years.

The Great Hall doors opened and Y/n watched as Hermione and Harry both entered. She could see the confusion on Harry's face as he looked around the Gryffindor table, no doubt looking for her. When Ron began to talk to Harry—probably explaining what happened—Y/n looked away. She didn't want to see what Harry's reaction was, at least not right now. They could talk later. It would be fine. She'd be fine.

Dumbledore stood. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and an extremely crooked nose.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises—even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors," he said.

Dumbledore paused; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound. "On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard, Y/n among them, status as a Slytherin be damned. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

Y/n's eyes fell on Professor Snape, the Potions master, who was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. According to Harry, it was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, but I was still startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. It was beyond anger: it was loathing.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."