September 1st, 1977

Harrigan was sitting at the Head Table in the Great Hall, waiting for the students to arrive. He had been here for a few days and already he wanted to strangle the old man who called himself 'Headmaster'. The man's barely-concealed shock and irritation at seeing him there had been his only amusement, that and the fact that the old coot couldn't get him removed. Harrigan had no doubt the man had already tried, perhaps mentioning a conflict of interest since he was engaged to the father of two students. Whatever he had done or said it hadn't mattered much, for here he was, sitting at the table with the staff and trying to ignore the urge to roll his eyes as he listened to the old man's 'grave' conversation a few chairs down about the new threat posed by this 'Voldemort' character.

Honestly, it was behavior like this that was enflaming the wannabe's importance in wizarding Britain more than anything. He wasn't going to get anywhere, not without the Lestranges, Blacks, or Malfoy families at his back. They were three of the most well-respected and regarded old names in the so-called 'Dark' families and there weren't many that were willing to go against their decisions. As Orion had made it clear to his cousin Cygnus a few weeks ago, they were not going to be supporting this upstart. Without them, he had no chance.

Investigation into this 'Lord Voldemort' had revealed that while he was the Heir of Slytherin, he was also a half-blood, product of a near-Squib and a Muggle. None of the self-respecting pureblood families would ever bow to a half-blood and call him their Lord, no matter his bloodline. If he hadn't wanted to be discovered, he really shouldn't have made an anagram of his real name...

He was distracted from his thoughts by the appearance of the students, at least those who had taken the carriages. The first years would be traveling over the Black Lake and Harrigan didn't envy them the slightest, staring up at the enchanted ceiling with its ominous thunderclouds and the pouring rain. He was glad that he was not a Head of House, there were probably a number of terrified new students who hated something about the stormy weather, either the sound or the sudden flashes of light.

He smiled when he saw Regulus approaching the Slytherin table with a few of his friends and his older cousin Bellatrix. He had genuinely liked the younger brother from the start and thought he had a good head on his shoulders. He wanted to be a Healer and Harrigan thought it suited him perfectly. He was calm and reassuring and had a steady hand and mind, all of which would be essential as a Healer. He was also talented in Potions, Charms, and Herbology, three of the most important classes for an aspiring Healer.

Bellatrix meanwhile was beginning to come to terms with the fact that she did have a choice on her future. Druella Rosier and her family had damaged the young woman incredibly, not to mention her sire Cygnus and his sneering comments on the lack of importance that women had in their society. All of which were antiquated views, which when talking about wizards who still used quills and parchment was really saying something.

With Orion's steadying presence and the help of a mind-Healer Bellatrix Black was well on her way to a full recovery and the young, sharp-witted woman had a promising career awaiting her in Arithmancy. Her brain was ideally suited to the logical puzzles and numbers that made up the archaic study of magical numbers and their use in calculations. If not for her parent's interference and threats the young woman would have been a shoo-in for Ravenclaw.

Regulus idly flicked his eyes up to the Head Table, studying the faces there with little interest, at least until steadily widening pale blue eyes landed on him. Regulus looked stunned, amused and a little ruefully shaking his head at the nice stunt his future stepfather had pulled. He made a quiet comment to Bellatrix who looked, saw him, and gave a surprised laugh. They both sat down, highly amused and no doubt looking forward to their Defense classes for once.

Slytherin had proceeded in first as a whole, sitting down without the slightest of arguments at what were obviously pre-arranged places. Their hierarchy determined each and every student's place in the House from the moment of their Sorting. While there was always a bit of infighting and social maneuvering they always presented a united front outside of Slytherin, Orion had explained to him a few days ago. So few stood on the side of the green and silver that they had to do it for themselves.

Hufflepuff followed along with Ravenclaw, the more patient of the two Houses all the way across the room from Slytherin, while the intelligent ones who could value the Slytherin's cunning were directly next to them, a buffer between the two major rivals of Slytherin and Gryffindor. The lions were last, a rowdy bunch of laughing, smiling students who playfully shoved other students out of 'their' places and exchanged jokes and news in a mild cacophony of noise.

Harrigan spotted Sirius easily, the elder boy was looking happier than he had in a long time, it was such a difference from the almost sullen child he had met in Potter manor the previous year that he could only marvel at the change. Sirius was well-suited for Gryffindor, his easy smile, a quicksilver temper that matched his grey eyes, and love of pranks wouldn't have let him go anywhere else, even if he had wanted to. His friends all smiled and laughed with him, the Potter heir giving a playful shove in retaliation to an obviously friendly jibe.

Gryffindors were also far more open with their reactions, Harrigan reflected in distinct amusement as he watched Sirius scan the Head Table and notice him sitting in the chair for the Defense instructor. Grey eyes widened in shock and his jaw literally dropped in surprise. Harrigan concealed his desire to laugh and simply smirked back at his obviously stunned future stepson. It was really a priceless reaction and he would have to share it with Orion when he next saw his fiancée.

Sirius obviously knew how to take a joke and burst out into low chuckles, poking James Potter in the side and making a comment to both him and Remus Lupin, seated across the way from Sirius. Sitting in front of James was a smaller boy with mousy hair and a slightly jumpy, skittish personality.

His name was Peter Pettigrew, according to Harrigan. The boy left him on his guard for some reason and he stared at him for a long moment, taking in his slightly skittish behavior and the way his slightly reedy laugh had an unexplainable edge to it. He resolved to keep a closer eye on the boy this year and see if he couldn't figure out what was going on with him.

He took his attention away from Gryffindor as Deputy Headmistress McGonagall led in a group of tiny students who looked a mix of excited, nervous, and downright terrified. His lip twitched a little, they would be all right. Every new experience was scary when you were that small. He watched quietly as the Sorting began, officially starting his stint as a Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

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Regulus shook his head a little as he saw his brother's rather obvious reaction to Harry's (the older man had told them that he was fine with a shorter form of his name in private) appointment as their new Defense professor. His brother didn't know how to be subtle for the most part and he wished Lucius luck with his chosen spouse, though he was happy for the pair. He had been stunned when the reason for his brother's behavior had gotten out, though a bit later it had seemed to be a rather obvious conclusion.

His furious rage and uncontrollable hatred towards all things Slytherin had started after the announcement of Lucius and Narcissa's betrothal. Sometimes he felt as though he had betrayed his elder brother for not realizing just how close he had been to Lucius Malfoy. Their little get-togethers before Sirius' fall-out had revealed a mutual attraction between the two boys, but Regulus had thought it wouldn't go beyond a one-night stand that both were well-known for.

He wondered quietly if they would start up their little meetings again, hiding out and enjoying friendship without rivalry in the amazing room that couldn't be plotted, not that Sirius and his friends hadn't tried with that map of theirs. He knew all of their former members would be happy to begin the little gatherings again, it had been a source of light-hearted relief from the growing tension outside the school and indeed, outside the walls of their special room.

The rivalry between Houses was getting worse, some of the Dark families were beginning to place more and more on one's blood, which was a stupid thing to go by. One of his best friends, Severus Snape, was one of the most talented young wizards in Great Britain and headed for a very promising dual-Mastery in Potions and Spell-Crafting. He also happened to be a half-blood, son of a very talented witch and a Muggle. Severus rarely mentioned his father, it was only ever in passing and even then it was said with pure hatred.

After the last student had been sorted (Zabini, Gregori) the Headmaster stood up and smiled at them with projected benevolence. Of course, this face never extended to reality, at least not for the Slytherins. Studying the Headmaster's face carefully as he began welcoming the students back and projecting his kindly, powerful persona Regulus noted the slight tension in the man's mouth and around his eyes. The Headmaster may be a powerful man who had learned to control his instincts and reactions finely over the ages, but Regulus was a pureblood, trained from a young age to read the expressions and body language of his opponents and friends. A lot could be said without even saying a word. His actions at the moment depicted a slight irritation, and Regulus knew exactly where that emotion was pointed at.

"And finally, we must welcome Lord Harrigan Peverell to Hogwarts this year. Along with being a more physical face of the Board of Governors, he will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor this year, please note that he will be called Professor Peverell inside the classroom."

There was a polite scattering of applause throughout the Hall as Harrigan stood and raised a hand in acknowledgment of his welcome. He had grace, good looks, and intelligence on his side, not to mention a powerful presence that radiated off his very frame. Without even trying to, he made a more powerful impression on the students than the Headmaster himself, and the older man was obviously displeased.

After the ridiculous school song was sung at the top of their lungs, they were dismissed to their dormitories. Regulus' last thought as he gazed back at Lord Harrigan was a rueful, well this ought to be interesting.