The Thirteenth N.E.W.T.

"…is something the matter?" Oleandra mouthed, glancing at her sister out of the corner of her eye. "You're staring."

Daphne pursed her lips and maintained her accusatory stare.

She had been promised answers, but just as she'd been about to obtain them, the first-year Slytherin girl holding the keys to her sister's secrets had run away to the bathroom along with said sister— frustrating her no end.

"No more running away," Daphne mouthed back. "I expect answers before the day is out."

It was exceedingly clear to Daphne that Oleandra and Mai hadn't gone to the bathroom to powder their noses or whatnot, but to get their stories straight!

Meanwhile, oblivious to the bickering sisters, Professor Dumbledore continued with his speech.

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn" — here, Slughorn stood up and gave a slight bow, demonstrating to all in attendance the advanced stage of his male-pattern baldness— "is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."

In response to this shocking bit of news, the Great Hall was immediately filled with hushed murmurs— although, the fact that Professor Slughorn had supplanted Professor Snape as the Potions teacher came as no great surprise to Oleandra, who'd already learned about the staffing changes from the man in question.

"I can't believe it!" Tracey whispered loudly. "Then, does that mean—"

"Professor Snape, meanwhile," said Dumbledore, raising his voice to make himself heard over the rumour mill, "will be taking over the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Since class schedules wouldn't be given until the first day of classes, Oleandra still wasn't certain which classes she'd actually be taking. There was only one Time-Turner left in the British Isles (the one Theo had managed to save from certain destruction from the Department of Mysteries), which meant she would most likely have to cut a class or two in order to fit her first choices into her timetable.

And, as luck would have it, Oleandra wouldn't have to worry too much about Professor Snape bearing down on her, because Defence Against the Dark Arts was first on the chopping block for her. Since she was already a fairly accomplished duellist with the magic of runes, Oleandra simply couldn't see the point in advancing her studies in a magical discipline that overlapped with her skill set.

Unfortunately for Oleandra, by skipping out on Defence Against the Dark Arts, she would also be losing the opportunity to qualify as a Healer (a minimum of an Exceeds Expectations N.E.W.T. in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and unfortunately, Defence Against the Dark Arts, is required to be accepted into St Mungo's Healer Trainee programme).

It was a shame, since Oleandra had shown herself to be quite gifted in the Healing Arts after undergoing Viviane's accelerated training, but it didn't really matter to her that much, since she had never intended on settling down after Hogwarts— whether it was growing the family business with Daphne or taking a desk job.

Adventure, Oleandra had discovered, was in her blood— having had a taste of it, she could no longer live without it. Perhaps, when this whole Voldemort business was truly over and done, she would venture into the infinite sea of stars as an explorer…

"Onto the final staffing change," said Dumbledore loudly, raising his arms to silence the students before him. "I am pleased to announce that, due to the great number of submissions received over the summer, Hogwarts will also be offering Alchemy as an additional elective at the N.E.W.T. level."

"Hear, hear!" Theo cried out loudly.

Apart from Theodore's enthusiastic cheer, the students' reception of Dumbledore's latest announcement was mostly lukewarm. Most would graduate Hogwarts without even knowing Alchemy had always been an option— one had to specifically ask their Head of House about it during career counselling to learn about this hidden, almost mythical, thirteenth N.E.W.T. subject.

"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" said Oleandra curiously.

"Maybe it'll be that Flamel bloke," Tracey suggested. "Didn't you tell me Professor Dumbledore was friends with him after that whole Philosopher's Stone debacle?"

Daphne merely crossed her arms and stared intently at Professor Dumbledore, who had taken a dramatic pause to emphasise his next words.

"Furthermore, I am equally pleased to announce that I, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, will be returning to the world of academics," said Professor Dumbledore with a slight bow. "I have offered the post of Alchemy teacher to myself… and I am glad to say that I have humbly accepted!"

Dumbledore's previous announcement about the reinstatement of alchemy classes had been received with about as much enthusiasm as if he'd decreed that the broom closet in the Entrance Hall be moved to Filch's office— but the news of his return to the glamorous life of a teacher was received with a roar!

"No way!" Tracey exclaimed in awe. "Professor Dumbledore hasn't taught a class ever since he took over as Headmaster after Professor Armando Dippet resigned— and he's going to teach us personally!?"

"Is Dumbledore really qualified, though?" Malfoy loudly commented to Theo. "Didn't he use to teach Charms or Transfiguration, or something?"

Once again, Professor Dumbledore raised his hands to request silence, and gradually, the Great Hall began to quiet down.

"As much as it shames me to say it out loud, I am not unaware of the popularity I enjoy among some of you," said Dumbledore with a modest smile. "Among sixth- and seventh-year students, some of you might presently be considering adding Introduction to Beginner's Alchemy to your list of classes as a result of my involvement, but be warned—"

Professor Dumbledore's eyes swept over the hundreds of youthful faces staring up at him.

"Although we shall only meet a few times over the coming year, the study of Alchemy is not to be taken lightly," said Professor Dumbledore steadily. "My class will require significant time investment and self-study on your part— so, unless you were already planning on taking Introduction to Beginner's Alchemy, I would highly recommend against taking this class on a whim…"