Chapter 573 - Head of Gryffidnor

Earlier that same evening right after the feast, Sirius, Pettigrew, and James made their way out of the Great Hall and up the staircase to the Gryffindor tower. Pettigrew is notably quiet as he walks on the other side of Sirius keeping Sirius strategically placed between James and himself. He would have walked preferred to walk alongside of Remus, but since Remus is a Gryffindor Perfect, Remus would be leading the first years up to the Gryffindor tower. (And not that Sirius was terrible to walk alongside, but it was just that Sirius tended to get distracted.)

The Fat Lady's portrait is already open as they enter the cozy Gryffidnor tower, before the trio came to a startling halt and heard protests from those coming behind them. The entire second years and up are being seated in rows by Prefect Lily. Seeing Lily, James feels that he is unable to breathe as he each time he sees her, he can only seem to recall the eerie green flash that took his life.

James is nudged out of his stupor by a quick elbow to his ribs as Sirius mutters, "I know that you've got it bad mate, but blimey at least don't look like a scarred rabbit."

James makes a bittersweet expression and still rather dazed answers, "Yeah." And it was true, a part of him was desperately terrified to wake up and realize this was all but a dream. Yet another part of him just as desperately wished that it was, and that he would awaken next to his beloved Lily, and their son, Harry.

Lily must have heard the commotion behind her, because she whirled around and sharply says, "I know that everyone is tired, but our new Head of House, Professor Babbling would like to have a word with us, before we all head off to bed."

There are groans of protest at her words, but those shuffling inside reluctantly comply with Lily's instructions. Sirius, James, and Pettigrew quickly find themselves sitting in a corner. While Pettigrew glances around James numbly stares at Lily causing Sirius to roll his eyes mutter, "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear she's got you under some sort of l.u.s.t spell or potion, James."

James shakes his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts and change the subject. "That's strange, why is Professor Babbling our new Head of House?" Which was true as James could not quite believe that Professor McGonagall was no longer their head of house. Was she possibly sick or worse had been cursed!?

"Beats me," Sirius said with a shrug. It was all the same to him.

After a second, Pettigrew decides to answer. "With Professor McGonagall engaged, and likely to marry in the upcoming year, Professor Dumbledore and the Hogwarts Board most likely wanted to give the Professor a chance to be a newlywed. And since she will still remain as the Professor of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmaster, which will still allow her to hold the same amount of authority as before, but have to deal with less responsibilities that the Head of House is required to hold nor be available to Gryffindor's at all times. And most of the married Professors leave the castle in the evenings and head down to their homes in Hogesmeade, I would think that Professor McGonagall would do the same which would be an impediment to the position of being a Head of House."

"Professor McGonagall is engaged?" James squawked in disbelief deliberately ignoring the fact that it was Pettigrew, who answered his question. He simply could not believe that his old Head of House could possibly be engaged to marry. When did that happen?!

Sirius stares at James and after a moment says, "Your head must have really been done in good, mate. Professor McGonagall's been engaged since Easter to Elphinstone Urquart. It's what all the girls were talking about for the longest time."

"Urquart?" James said in disbelief at recalling the right-hand man of his former Auror boss, Bob Ogden, before Ogden was killed during the war. How in Merlin's name had this unlikely couple come to be?

James still had not quite managed to wrap his head around the idea of his former Transfiguration professor being engaged to one of his former bosses within the Auror Department. It was one of the many things that filled him with disbelief and would have never dreamed possible. And yet the impossible seemed to become possible.

With most of the Gryffindor years now seated, the sound of the Gryffindor entrance opening caused most of those chattering to fall silent as the rustle of tiny footsteps can be heard. Leading the way is the tall, thin figure of Prefect Remus Lupin. With a smile, he coaxes the startled first years and says, "Professor Babbling just wants to have a word with everyone in the house. Please remain in an orderly line and have a seat here on the floor."

Lupin points to a nice cozy spot near the fire, but not too close to cause the first years to fall asleep. Like nervous ducklings, the first years sit down in a group. Two first year girls hold hands, they have the same colored oak hair, and both had brown eyes. However, one of the girls is a tad taller than the other and leaner with earth colored eyes. While the other has honey brown eyes and has a more round, soft face.

Lucy and Martha take in the warm cozy Gryffindor common room with big eyes. Their brother, Jeremy had been sorted into Slytherin instead of Ravenclaw like everyone in the pack had thought including Jeremy himself. But it should not come a surprise, because Jeremy was rather sneaky when he wanted to be and never got caught not even by the evil monster, Greyback, who had taken them away and raised them.

Lucy and Marth turned to each other as Lucy whispered, "Do you think we'll be in the same dorm?"

"I hope so," Martha whispered back. 'But if not, we'll be close, and that won't be too bad."

"Mm," Lucy softly said a bit unease as she glanced around at the very crowded room full of unfamiliar faces. "Do you think, Jeremy will be alright? His house perfects seemed kind of cold, and not very nice."

"I don't know," Martha uncertainly replied. "But if there is a problem, we'll help him out cuz he's our brother."

Lucy hums in agreement as the two girls grow silent at the sound of the common door opening. They hold hands and wait. Hopefully, it wasn't anything too terrible.