Chapter One
(Surprise)
All the upper classmen had already taken their seats in the Great Hall and were awaiting Professor McGonagall and the First Years to enter so that they may begin the sorting. No one really paid attention to the high table at the front of the Great Hall, they were for the teachers and the only empty seats were for the professors of Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. At this point most of the students didn't even care who they got to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, they couldn't be any worse than that Umbridge woman. But then again.
Suddenly a door opened behind the teachers table, the room went silent as they got a good look at the woman entering the room. She had dark hair that was pulled back in a twist with a red flower tucked into the side. Her eyes were blue and bright and she looked way too young to be a teacher. But the thing that really made every table chatter was that she was wearing Muggle clothes. She had on black silk pants that flowed as she walked and a black silk corset top with sheer sleeves that hung lower than her hands. She looked like she was going out dancing for the night and decided to crash Opening Ceremonies instead.
She walked over to Dumbledore and kissed him on the cheek, he patted her hand before she went and took the seat for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. As she sat there she looked out over the sea of young faces and smiled with excitement. None of the other teachers even gave her a glance, but a couple students noticed Professor Snape give her a look of disgust.
A moment later Professor McGonagall and the First Years entered the Great Hall and the sorting began, soon after the food appeared and everyone ate heartily. Once everyone had finished dessert and felt as though they were about to burst, Professor Dumbledore stood up to make the annual announcements.
''I want to welcome you all to another year at Hogwarts. I am sure you all had a wonderful summer and hope that this year proves to be
your best one yet,'' he exclaimed.
Dumbledore continued, ''I would like to introduce you to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This is Professor Julia Lee, she
has come here from America and happens to be my great-grandniece, I
think.''
''Close enough Great-Granduncle, I've lost count myself,''
smiled Julia.
''Well then,'' he resumed, ''I hope you all learn a lot from her and hope you treat her with the same respect as you would like her to treat
you. Her methods may be different than the ones you are used to, but I have faith that my students are up to any challenge. Now, with all that said I think it may be time for everyone to return to their houses to get a
good-night's rest. Good night to you all.''
The students then began to follow their prefects to their own
houses, whispering amongst themselves about the mysterious new teacher.
Meanwhile the teachers all disappeared into the back room behind the
tables.
* * *
The teachers were assembling into the study that lay behind the teachers table in the Great Hall. The door had barely slammed shut when Professor Snape began to protest.
''I will not teach alongside an AMERICAN! I thought this school had certain
standards that would not allow for such a thing to be,'' Snape shouted. ''And a family member, Sir, I implore you, isn't this a blatant misuse of your authority? Besides, how can she even be old enough to teach that class, let alone have any experience in the dark arts? And her...her...clothing!" he sputtered. "It is a direct slap in the face to the standards this school does have...."
''With that said, Severus,'' Dumbledore began calmly, ''I would like to remind you that Hogwarts is an equal opportunity school, remember we did employ a werewolf. Miss Lee is very - if not overqualified - to teach this class, for as you see, her father was a vampire hunter and her mother was a great potion's maker. She grew up in very dangerous lands and had to learn at a young age how to defend herself. And considering how desperately we need all the help we can get in our war against Voldemort; I think she may be an asset.''
Snape glared at Julia with a look that bordered on murderous.
''Also,'' Dumbledore continued, ''Hogwarts does not enforce a dress code on the teachers, only the students, and robes are not worn world wide among the wizarding folk. And to answer your question about favoritism, she is not my niece by blood,
her real great grand parents were students here and we were very close. They were married and I became similarly close to their children. I am such a fixture in the family that all the children refer to me as Great Grand Uncle. And besides, she has Scottish blood in her; she was just born in America. Does that clarify it enough?''
Snape began to say, ''But again Sir, why was I not..."
Julia interrupted, ''Who would have replaced you if you switched over to Defense Against the Dark Arts? It would have been a very difficult job finding someone of your abilities.''
Snape gave Julia a thoughtful look and raised one eye brow in a way that made him look as if he enjoyed the flattery, but when he caught the wink that Dumbledore had passed to her, the look was gone.
''Don't brown nose me, I know were my talents lie," he retorted.
''Does anyone else have a problem with Julia teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?" inquired Dumbledore, ''If not I would really like to go to bed, I think I ate too many raspberry tarts.''
All the teachers agreed and Snape gave in grudgingly and everyone retired
for the night.
* * *
Julia walked with her Great Grand Uncle to his chambers. Along the way she asked, ''Does he hate everyone like that or only the Defense Against the Dark Arts
teachers?"
''Oh, don't worry too much about Severus dear, he has had a very hard life and really just needs to find some happiness. I hope one day he can find love in his heart to quench the anger that is within," Dumbledore replies. Stopping, he turned to her and asked, "Do you think that you are up to that challenge my dear?''
''Well, I could try to be his friend, and I do like challenges, maybe I will. I find him intriguing and I would like to learn potions from him, ya know, compare it to the way Mom taught me. I think if he warmed up a little he could turn out to be a really good person,'' Julia said.
''I agree my dear, now off to bed with you. Tomorrow starts your first
class and you have a lot of work to do." Dumbledore took her hand and she kissed him on the cheek. He started up the stairs to his chamber as Julia headed off to her room, ready to start her new life as a teacher and her new challenge at being the friend of Severus Snape. She smiled to herself as her thoughts turned to the tall dark man.
* * *
As the students filed into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning, all they could talk about was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
''Did you see her clothes?" exclaimed Lavender Brown. ''They were so pretty, but
completely inappropriate for Hogwarts. Don't you agree Hermione?''
''Yes, I do agree," Hermione answered, "but there aren't dress codes for the teachers. So I really don't think it is any of our business. As long as she can teach us what we need to know then what does it matter?'' Lavender, not liking Hermione's reply promptly turned her nose up and pretended not to hear her.
''I kind of liked it,'' said Ron, ''quite refreshing to see a young woman dress her age and not like some old hag.''
''So, you think I dress like an old hag Ronald Weasley?'' Hermione attacked.
Ron whimpered, ''No, not you, just.....er....some girls....hmmm...Harry?''
''Not helping you out of this one Mate, you stuck your foot in it this time,'' Harry replied, but he really didn't want them to start fighting again so he added, ''But I think what he means Hermione, is that she isn't dressed like Professor Sprout or Professor McGonagall, right Ron?''
But before Ron could even mutter a reply, Professor Lee walked in, dressed in red jogging pants with white stripes down the sides. She had on running shoes and a pink exercise shirt with a red hoody. Her hair was pulled back into two braids and she was pink and flushed as if she had been running. As she passed the Gryffindor table she smiled at Harry, Ron and Hermione who were staring at her with their mouths open.
Last nights outfit was one thing, but they really expected to see her in a robe today. As she reached the table Snape promptly got up and left without even looking in her direction.
* * *
Later that morning, the students from Gryffindor and Slytherin joined Professor Lee for their first class together.
''Good morning guys, as you know I'm your new Defense Against the Dark Arts
teacher and I am going to teach you what I know on how do protect yourself from all the nasties out there that can hurt you. And I don't mean just with spells and potions; they have their place, but you also need to learn how to defend yourself physically,'' Professor Lee began, ''Now who can tell me all the ways that you can kill a vampire?''
The only hand up was Harry's, since his cousin was a huge fan of B-Movies
he had picked up some information from them.
''Yes Harry?'' Professor Lee said, calling on him for the answer.
''Isn't it beheading and a wooden stake in the heart? And aren't they afraid of sunlight?''
''You are correct, and I guess you thought that all those cheesy movies
weren't telling the truth. Well sometimes the truth is hidden inside a
wrapping of false information. Does anyone--?'' but before she could ask
the next question, the students began to hit her with a ton of inquiries.
Lavender was the first one to shout, ''Are you really from America?''
''Well I'm not faking this accent, actually I was born in New Jersey, but I have lived all over,'' she replied.
Seeping with sarcasm, Malfoy yells, ''New Jersey? Bet you get many vampires there?''
''Yes actually," she answered him quickly, "there is a huge population of them in Newark and also in Hackensack, why, are you planning on going hunting?''
Parvati's hand shot up, ''How come Professor Dumbledore lets you wear Muggle clothes?''
''Well, I don't consider them Muggle clothes, they are just the fashions that I like, and in America not too many of us younger wizards wear the robes outside of special occasions,'' she answered, then she added, ''Now if no one else has any questions, may we continue our class? I would like to work with you some more on Vampires and by the end of the week we will begin practicing our techniques.''
The class began to hum with chatter but quieted quickly as they became interested in what Professor Lee was saying.
(Surprise)
All the upper classmen had already taken their seats in the Great Hall and were awaiting Professor McGonagall and the First Years to enter so that they may begin the sorting. No one really paid attention to the high table at the front of the Great Hall, they were for the teachers and the only empty seats were for the professors of Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. At this point most of the students didn't even care who they got to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, they couldn't be any worse than that Umbridge woman. But then again.
Suddenly a door opened behind the teachers table, the room went silent as they got a good look at the woman entering the room. She had dark hair that was pulled back in a twist with a red flower tucked into the side. Her eyes were blue and bright and she looked way too young to be a teacher. But the thing that really made every table chatter was that she was wearing Muggle clothes. She had on black silk pants that flowed as she walked and a black silk corset top with sheer sleeves that hung lower than her hands. She looked like she was going out dancing for the night and decided to crash Opening Ceremonies instead.
She walked over to Dumbledore and kissed him on the cheek, he patted her hand before she went and took the seat for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. As she sat there she looked out over the sea of young faces and smiled with excitement. None of the other teachers even gave her a glance, but a couple students noticed Professor Snape give her a look of disgust.
A moment later Professor McGonagall and the First Years entered the Great Hall and the sorting began, soon after the food appeared and everyone ate heartily. Once everyone had finished dessert and felt as though they were about to burst, Professor Dumbledore stood up to make the annual announcements.
''I want to welcome you all to another year at Hogwarts. I am sure you all had a wonderful summer and hope that this year proves to be
your best one yet,'' he exclaimed.
Dumbledore continued, ''I would like to introduce you to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This is Professor Julia Lee, she
has come here from America and happens to be my great-grandniece, I
think.''
''Close enough Great-Granduncle, I've lost count myself,''
smiled Julia.
''Well then,'' he resumed, ''I hope you all learn a lot from her and hope you treat her with the same respect as you would like her to treat
you. Her methods may be different than the ones you are used to, but I have faith that my students are up to any challenge. Now, with all that said I think it may be time for everyone to return to their houses to get a
good-night's rest. Good night to you all.''
The students then began to follow their prefects to their own
houses, whispering amongst themselves about the mysterious new teacher.
Meanwhile the teachers all disappeared into the back room behind the
tables.
* * *
The teachers were assembling into the study that lay behind the teachers table in the Great Hall. The door had barely slammed shut when Professor Snape began to protest.
''I will not teach alongside an AMERICAN! I thought this school had certain
standards that would not allow for such a thing to be,'' Snape shouted. ''And a family member, Sir, I implore you, isn't this a blatant misuse of your authority? Besides, how can she even be old enough to teach that class, let alone have any experience in the dark arts? And her...her...clothing!" he sputtered. "It is a direct slap in the face to the standards this school does have...."
''With that said, Severus,'' Dumbledore began calmly, ''I would like to remind you that Hogwarts is an equal opportunity school, remember we did employ a werewolf. Miss Lee is very - if not overqualified - to teach this class, for as you see, her father was a vampire hunter and her mother was a great potion's maker. She grew up in very dangerous lands and had to learn at a young age how to defend herself. And considering how desperately we need all the help we can get in our war against Voldemort; I think she may be an asset.''
Snape glared at Julia with a look that bordered on murderous.
''Also,'' Dumbledore continued, ''Hogwarts does not enforce a dress code on the teachers, only the students, and robes are not worn world wide among the wizarding folk. And to answer your question about favoritism, she is not my niece by blood,
her real great grand parents were students here and we were very close. They were married and I became similarly close to their children. I am such a fixture in the family that all the children refer to me as Great Grand Uncle. And besides, she has Scottish blood in her; she was just born in America. Does that clarify it enough?''
Snape began to say, ''But again Sir, why was I not..."
Julia interrupted, ''Who would have replaced you if you switched over to Defense Against the Dark Arts? It would have been a very difficult job finding someone of your abilities.''
Snape gave Julia a thoughtful look and raised one eye brow in a way that made him look as if he enjoyed the flattery, but when he caught the wink that Dumbledore had passed to her, the look was gone.
''Don't brown nose me, I know were my talents lie," he retorted.
''Does anyone else have a problem with Julia teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?" inquired Dumbledore, ''If not I would really like to go to bed, I think I ate too many raspberry tarts.''
All the teachers agreed and Snape gave in grudgingly and everyone retired
for the night.
* * *
Julia walked with her Great Grand Uncle to his chambers. Along the way she asked, ''Does he hate everyone like that or only the Defense Against the Dark Arts
teachers?"
''Oh, don't worry too much about Severus dear, he has had a very hard life and really just needs to find some happiness. I hope one day he can find love in his heart to quench the anger that is within," Dumbledore replies. Stopping, he turned to her and asked, "Do you think that you are up to that challenge my dear?''
''Well, I could try to be his friend, and I do like challenges, maybe I will. I find him intriguing and I would like to learn potions from him, ya know, compare it to the way Mom taught me. I think if he warmed up a little he could turn out to be a really good person,'' Julia said.
''I agree my dear, now off to bed with you. Tomorrow starts your first
class and you have a lot of work to do." Dumbledore took her hand and she kissed him on the cheek. He started up the stairs to his chamber as Julia headed off to her room, ready to start her new life as a teacher and her new challenge at being the friend of Severus Snape. She smiled to herself as her thoughts turned to the tall dark man.
* * *
As the students filed into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning, all they could talk about was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
''Did you see her clothes?" exclaimed Lavender Brown. ''They were so pretty, but
completely inappropriate for Hogwarts. Don't you agree Hermione?''
''Yes, I do agree," Hermione answered, "but there aren't dress codes for the teachers. So I really don't think it is any of our business. As long as she can teach us what we need to know then what does it matter?'' Lavender, not liking Hermione's reply promptly turned her nose up and pretended not to hear her.
''I kind of liked it,'' said Ron, ''quite refreshing to see a young woman dress her age and not like some old hag.''
''So, you think I dress like an old hag Ronald Weasley?'' Hermione attacked.
Ron whimpered, ''No, not you, just.....er....some girls....hmmm...Harry?''
''Not helping you out of this one Mate, you stuck your foot in it this time,'' Harry replied, but he really didn't want them to start fighting again so he added, ''But I think what he means Hermione, is that she isn't dressed like Professor Sprout or Professor McGonagall, right Ron?''
But before Ron could even mutter a reply, Professor Lee walked in, dressed in red jogging pants with white stripes down the sides. She had on running shoes and a pink exercise shirt with a red hoody. Her hair was pulled back into two braids and she was pink and flushed as if she had been running. As she passed the Gryffindor table she smiled at Harry, Ron and Hermione who were staring at her with their mouths open.
Last nights outfit was one thing, but they really expected to see her in a robe today. As she reached the table Snape promptly got up and left without even looking in her direction.
* * *
Later that morning, the students from Gryffindor and Slytherin joined Professor Lee for their first class together.
''Good morning guys, as you know I'm your new Defense Against the Dark Arts
teacher and I am going to teach you what I know on how do protect yourself from all the nasties out there that can hurt you. And I don't mean just with spells and potions; they have their place, but you also need to learn how to defend yourself physically,'' Professor Lee began, ''Now who can tell me all the ways that you can kill a vampire?''
The only hand up was Harry's, since his cousin was a huge fan of B-Movies
he had picked up some information from them.
''Yes Harry?'' Professor Lee said, calling on him for the answer.
''Isn't it beheading and a wooden stake in the heart? And aren't they afraid of sunlight?''
''You are correct, and I guess you thought that all those cheesy movies
weren't telling the truth. Well sometimes the truth is hidden inside a
wrapping of false information. Does anyone--?'' but before she could ask
the next question, the students began to hit her with a ton of inquiries.
Lavender was the first one to shout, ''Are you really from America?''
''Well I'm not faking this accent, actually I was born in New Jersey, but I have lived all over,'' she replied.
Seeping with sarcasm, Malfoy yells, ''New Jersey? Bet you get many vampires there?''
''Yes actually," she answered him quickly, "there is a huge population of them in Newark and also in Hackensack, why, are you planning on going hunting?''
Parvati's hand shot up, ''How come Professor Dumbledore lets you wear Muggle clothes?''
''Well, I don't consider them Muggle clothes, they are just the fashions that I like, and in America not too many of us younger wizards wear the robes outside of special occasions,'' she answered, then she added, ''Now if no one else has any questions, may we continue our class? I would like to work with you some more on Vampires and by the end of the week we will begin practicing our techniques.''
The class began to hum with chatter but quieted quickly as they became interested in what Professor Lee was saying.