Harry was finally on his way back to school. It had been an awful summer, what with the fear spreading throughout the wizarding world, and having to stay at the Dursleys. He had met Ron and Hermione at platform 9 3/4 and after long hugs (with Hermione) and handshakes (with Ron); they were once again climbing aboard the Hogwarts Express. They found the only semi-empty compartment on the train and reluctantly entered.
As they stowed their things, Harry said to the others, "You know, the last time we shared a compartment with a sleeping stranger, they turned out to be a werewolf, and a friend of my parents."
Ron glanced at the young woman. "Too young to be a friend of your parents. In fact, she looks to be the same age as the twins."
"I've never seen her before, but she's wearing Gryffindor colors," said Hermione from the doorway. She was setting up warning and protection spells all around the compartment. "Maybe she's the new DADA teacher."
"Nah. Ron's right. She's to young for that." Harry said as he sat down across from Ron. Hermione sat beside Ron. And they all looked at the sleeping young woman. She was sitting next to the window; her cloak tucked around her and the hood pulled down. All they could see was a long auburn braid that was draped over her shoulder. There was a book face down on her lap, but the title wasn't visible.
The edges of the door glowed red just before it slid open to reveal, Malfoy and company. "How was your summer Potter? Do you think Azkaban Prison will be nice? Because that's where you're going very soon now," Malfoy sneered. Crabbe and Goyle smiled foolishly. Ron was shaking with rage, Hermione was open-mouthed in shock, and Harry was white-lipped with fury.
"That's quite enough young man," said a quiet voice behind Harry. The young woman was standing now, but even Hermione was taller than she was. Auburn curls had escaped her braid and framed a heart-shaped face; her eyes flashed green fire. "If it's possible to lose points for your house before you get to school, I'll see it done," she said.
Malfoy's face was even paler than usual. "Now leave!" She ordered firmly. Without another word, they fled. The door slid shut and the edges glowed green once again. Only then did she sit back down. Quite suddenly she laughed. Bright, silvery laughter filled the compartment.
Harry Ron and Hermione all looked at each other, then Ron asked, "What was funny about that?"
The laughter quieted and the woman said, "I'm sorry, it's just that I've never called anyone young man before and then his face... It was priceless." She collapsed into giggles again.
Ron and Hermione grinned finally, but Harry just stared at the woman, his face pale. Trying to gain control of herself, the woman looked over at him and sobered immediately.
"Your not actually paying attention to what that mangy git said, are you?" she asked.
"No... It's just that you remind me of someone."
"Oh really? Who?"
"My mother." Ron and Hermione stared at Harry and then looked at the woman again. She was grinning.
"Well, I've never been compared to somebody's mother before," Then she saw their faces. "What?"
Harry swallowed. "My mother's dead."
"Oh dear. I'm so sorry." Her eyes widened in sympathy. They matched Harry's perfectly.
"I've mostly only seen pictures, but people say I have her eyes." He said quietly.
She blinked. Her eyes were no longer green. They were now a warm honey color. "There. Is this better?"
"How did you do that?" Hermione asked.
"It's just a reflex action. I have any powerful emotion and my eyes change color. But normally they're like this," the woman answered. After a moment, of silence she exclaimed, "Oh. I never introduced myself. I'm Rose Jameson. And you would be Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter."
"Well, of course you knew Harry, but how do you know us?" Ron asked. He looked over at Hermione, who looked just as surprised.
Rose smiled. "Ron, you are the best Wizard Chess player at Hogwarts. Hermione, you are the cleverest witch in your class. But you Harry, I only figured out because the pale guy called you Potter, and there's only one Potter at Hogwarts. It's really wonderful to meet you all." She paused a moment. "I'm buying chocolate frogs for everyone from the food cart. You all look a bit peckish."
Exactly a minute later, the witch with the food cart showed up. The door slid open still glowing green. Rose bought the frogs and then everyone got whatever else they wanted. Before the door had shut behind her, a hand slid it open again. Two redheaded boys stepped in.
"Oy Ron, we just saw Malfoy at the front of the train," said one.
"He looked terrified and angry all at the same time," said the other.
"Rose?" asked the first, staring at her.
"But we thought you left for good, years ago," the second added.
"Why Fred and George Weasley! I'm flattered that you remember me!" Rose exclaimed, grinning at them.
"What are you doing on the train?" asked Fred.
"It's a surprise," Rose answered, her golden eyes glinting mischievously.
They blinked at her. Then George really looked at Harry. "Hey Harry, are you all right?"
"I'm fine. You two got any new tricks?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
The twin grinned at each other. "Of course," they said together.
"But we're not sharing yet," added Fred.
Rose laughed. "You two haven't changed a bit."
"Nope. They've only gotten more so," Ron muttered. Everyone, except the twins, laughed. They just looked confused.
"Well, we're gonna go. Lee wanted to show us something, before we got to school," George said when the laughter stopped.
"Oh right," Fred said.
"See you all at the banquet," George called as they left.
Harry turned to Rose. "So... you used to go to Hogwarts, but you left."
"You were a Gryffindor," Ron said.
"And now you're back as some sort of teacher," Hermione finished.
Rose smiled at them. "Not bad you three, but how'd you get the teacher bit Hermione?" Hermione pointed to the book beside Rose. It was now face-up and read TEACHER'S GUIDE. "Ahh. I see. I'm not telling you anything else. You'll find out everything you need to know at the welcoming feast." She frowned suddenly. "Has attendance gone down since I was here? Do you know?"
"There are fewer new students this year, yes," Hermione answered, looking at Harry.
"I see," Rose said, even though she obviously didn't. "We'll be at the school soon, so I think we ought to change, don't you? Hermione, you and I can go to the compartment next to this one. It's probably empty right now." She opened the door and motioned Hermione out ahead of her. The door slid shut behind them both.
Ron turned to Harry. "So what do you think of her?"
I feel like I know her from somewhere," Harry said from inside his robes.
"I remember her now... she's the same age as the twins, but she left before you came to Hogwarts. You couldn't know her."
"That's true I suppose," Harry muttered, fastening his robes. "Why do you think she left? And why would she come back?"
In the compartment next door, Hermione asked, "Why'd you want to come out here? You're already in your robes."
"I wanted to give them a chance to talk about me," Rose said easily. "You can go back and join them if you like."
"Well, I really do have to change," Hermione said as she started doing so.
"Do you have cat?" Rose asked, taking a seat.
"Yes, why?"
"You just seem like a cat person," Rose smiled at her.
"Oh dear, I left him in his basket, in there with Ron and Harry!" Hermione exclaimed suddenly. She fastened her robes quickly and dashed out of the compartment. Rose looked after her for a moment before grinning and gazing out the window.
Next door, Ron was saying, "I don't know Harry. I'm sure we'll get a chance to ask her." He looped his tie around his neck loosely.
"You're probably right," Harry frowned. "Still, I feel like I've seen her somewhere before," he paused. "Do you hear a rumbling noise?"
"It's just the train." Ron answered.
"No, it's coming from under your seat." Harry bent down and looked under Ron's seat. "Oh, it's from this,"
"Crookshanks!" Hermione yelled as she burst through the door. The basket in front of Harry's eyes burst its fastenings and a pumpkin-colored streak exploded into the compartment, yowling furiously.
Hermione jumped around wildly, trying to catch the raging cat. Harry and Ron hit the floor, and waited. Harry was now looking under his own seat at a disturbingly familiar wiggling basket. Before he could stop to think about it, he dodged Hermione's feet, pulled out the basket and opened it.
Another cat, the color of ashes jumped neatly out and onto the seat. A yowling Crookshanks barreled straight into it. After only a moment of confusion, both felines disentangled themselves and sat, staring at each other.
Hermione collapsed onto Ron's seat exclaiming, "Well!"
Getting up off the floor, Ron and Harry joined her. All three of them looked at the cats. Ron grinned and quipped, "That's the first time he's ever come to a stop without drawing blood." He grunted as Hermione elbowed him in the side. The cats lay down beside one another and stared at the people, sphinx-like.
"Looks like they've decided to be friends," Harry remarked.
"She must belong to Rose," Hermione said.
Since the door was still open, Rose just walked in, saying, "She does actually. And has the dubious honor of being my Shadow. A highly unoriginal name I admit, but there you go." The cat blinked at her. Rose smiled a bit and sat down beside her cat.
"It's not too bad a name," Ron said.
"It makes sense," Hermione added.
Rose looked at Harry. "Don't you have a remark to make about my cat?"
"Sorry, I can't think of anything," Harry said blankly.
"Exactly, there's not much one can say about a shadow." She smiled at the two cats. "Now, Crookshanks... that name has immense possibilities.
Shadow suddenly stood up and meowed, looking harassed. Crookshanks stood, stepped around her and climbed onto Rose's lap. He went immediately to sleep. Shadow then turned her unblinking green eyes on Harry.
"Harry, go sit over there," Hermione said. "I'm getting squashed into Ron."
"And that's such a terrible thing?" Ron asked, sounding insulted.
Harry moved as Hermione said, "It is when your elbow is digging into my ribs."
"Oh. Sorry." And Ron moved his elbow. He did not however move over into the now vacant seat. Harry wondered quite suddenly what had happened between the two of them while he'd been stranded at the Dursleys. He looked over at Rose. She was looking at Ron and Hermione speculatively.
Shadow climbed into Harry's lap and made herself comfortable. He petted her until her purr rivaled Crookshanks'. When he looked up again, Ron was back in his seat across from Rose. Harry smiled a little. "Interesting," he thought.
The four of them sat in silence until the train reached Hogsmeade station. In the hustle and bustle of leaving the train, Harry lost sight of Rose, but Shadow followed him into the carriage that would take them to the school. Crookshanks had vanished, but Hermione did not seem worried.
Surprisingly, Harry was not pulled aside to speak to any teachers. Instead, he was allowed to go straight to the Great Hall with the rest of the Gryffindors. As he took his seat next to Ron, Harry searched the Hall for Rose. Finally, he looked at the high table.
There was Hagrid, grinning and waving, Dumbledore smiling at him kindly and of course Snape, glaring at him, Professor McGonagall was corralling the rather small group of first years. Suddenly, he felt a heavy weight hit his lap. He looked down at Crookshanks squashy face. The cat did not look like he was planning on moving any time soon. Shadow was no longer sitting at his feet. Harry patted Crookshanks absently as he watched the sorting.
"The new class seems awfully small," Ron murmured to Harry.
"Everyone is scared," Harry whispered back.
"But Hogwarts is the safest place to be," Hermione said, "because of Dumbledore."
Just as she said his name, the wizard in question stood up. "I have few start of term announcements to make." He smiled and it seemed to each student that his smile was just for him or her. He continued, "First, I'd like to welcome you all to Hogwarts. As usual, the forest is forbidden to all students. The caretaker, Mr. Filch has a few more items that are not allowed in the Hallways. To see the entire list, check the bulletin board outside his office." He seemed to be looking straight at the Weasley twins this time. There were a few chuckles around the hallway.
"Also, we have two new staff members this year. Professor Jameson will be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts, and her sister Rose will be her teaching assistant. Ms. Jameson will also be observing several other classes as part of her own studies."
Harry saw Rose then. She was standing to the right of the high table, next to a tall (in comparison) woman with rich blonde hair, and twinkling blue eyes. They looked nothing alike, but for their smiles which were exactly the same. They waved at everyone, and Professor Jameson took the empty chair at the high table. Rose moved to the Gryffindor table. Fred and George quickly made room for her between them.
Dumbledore waved his hands and the feast began. As usual, the food was wonderful. Just as Ron, Hermione, Harry and Crookshanks were getting up to leave, the Jameson's approached. "May we speak with you three for a moment?" asked Rose.
"Of course," Hermione said. They all moved to the side of the Hall, out of the path of the other students.
"I'd like to follow your class tomorrow, if you don't mind," Rose said.
"Why would we mind?" Ron returned. "You're practically a teacher after all." Harry nudged him. "I mean, of course you can, but what do we call you?"
Professor Jameson broke in, "Ms Jameson of course." She grinned at her sister. "But only in a classroom setting."
Rose pulled a face.
"My sister Cora. And She's PROFESSOR Jameson in a class room setting." It was Cora's turn to pull a face.
"Still haven't gotten used to that professor bit," she said. "Your first class is double potions with Slytherin, and then you all get to have class with me."
Rose smiled. "I'll probably join in on your potions class."
"Just don't sit next to Neville in there," Ron said.
"Neville Longbottom? The boy who got his elbow stuck in the pudding during dinner?" Rose asked.
"That's him," Harry said. "He's quite clumsy and it's worst in potions because he's terrified of Professor Snape.
"Oh Neville isn't that bad," Hermione defended.
"He tries hard but he's just hopeless in there," Ron said.
"I'll keep that in mind," Rose said thoughtfully. "Good night you three. I'll see you in the Dungeons." She grinned. Ron and Hermione started to leave but Rose put a hand on Harry's shoulder, stopping him. He looked at her questioningly. "Don't be alarmed if Shadow shows up in your bedchamber. She seems to have claimed you. Do you mind?"
"Not overly, but how will she find it?"
Rose smiled. "She'll manage somehow. Good night."
"Night." Harry called. He met Ron and Hermione at the doors and they continued to the Gryffindor Common room. Sure enough when he finally went up to bed, there was Shadow sitting statue-like on the foot of his bed.
"Looks like you have a new friend," Ron laughed at he changed quickly for bed. Dean and Seamus were already asleep. Neville was nowhere to be found.
"Yeah, Rose told me she would probably be here," Harry said. Climbing into bed he added to the cat, "So long as you don't hog the covers." If he hadn't known better, he would have thought Shadow laughed as he turned out the light. He fell asleep to the sound of her purring at his feet.
After a lovely breakfast, where they did not see Rose or Cora, Harry, Ron and Hermione went down into Snape's dungeons for potions.
"Lovely way to start the year this," Ron remarked as they cautiously descended the dark, damp staircase.
"It can't be helped," Hermione said. "We need the class to graduate."
"That's not what I meant, "Ron said. He had to grab the railing with both hands then as he slipped on a slick spot. Only that chance grip kept them all from tumbling down the stairs and into the deepest dungeons as someone slammed into Harry from behind. He fell into Hermione, who in turn fell into Ron, who just barely managed to keep them all upright.
"Oof!"
"Oh!"
"Ouch!"
"Grunt!"
Then swiftly turning around revealed... Rose. "Sorry you guys," she said, slightly breathless. "I was running late." She looked around and added, "This is ridiculous." Pulling out her wand, she whispered something Harry couldn't hear. The end of her wand erupted with a bright white light that sizzled and crackled like lightning.
"Wow! What kind of spell is that?" Ron asked. Even Hermione looked amazed.
"I've never read about a spell like that," she said puzzled.
"Tell you later. Right now we've got to hurry!" Rose exclaimed as she rushed down the staircase. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed quickly to stay in the light.
They had just slipped into their seats when Snape swooped in from his office. Rose was standing next to his podium, with the appearance of having been waiting there for quite some time. Instead of launching immediately into his lecture, Snape glared at Rose. "So I'm to have the Shadow first am I?"
To the class' amazement, Rose smiled. "To a certain degree, yes. That's the name of my cat." She waved a hand around the room. "Now, where would you like me to sit?"
"I'd prefer you to be in an entirely different room, but as that is not to be, perhaps over there," He pointed to a tall stool in the back corner. "Out of my way."
Rose raised an eyebrow, but nodded and made her way through the dumbstruck students to her seat. She winked at Ron's open mouth and smiled a bit smugly at Malfoy. He sneered back.
Rose stared at the extremely tall, rickety, splintery, stool. The seat was at least four feet off the ground. Next to it was a three and a half-foot tall desk. Smiling, she tapped each with her wand. The desk became a stool with a lovely blue velvet cushion, and the stool became a wide, smooth- topped desk. Nodding her head, she pulled out her parchment, quill and inkwell, and made herself comfortable. Snape was glaring and the students were gaping. "Sorry Professor," she said, "You were saying?" Rose knew perfectly well that he hadn't been saying anything, but the remark served to get the class back on track.
About halfway through the class, Rose was hit by a severe coughing fit. It was so bad that she very nearly fell off her stool. The Slytherins snickered as she gasped for breath. She pulled out her wand.
"Now Ms. Jameson," Snape started.
"Imobulus!" Rose wheezed. Neville Longbottom became a very nervous statue.
"Ms. Jameson, what do you think you are doing?" Snape asked frigidly.
"Saving us all from a year-long nap," she replied, her voice still rough. She made her way to Neville's workstation. "Professor, I'd like your permission to work with Neville, away from the other students."
"By all means, go ahead," Snape said. "But I must warn you that he is hopeless."
Rose ignored him, but the Slytherin snickers became full-blown laughter as she levitated Neville and his cauldron to the back of the room. After a moment, Snape managed to regain control of the class. They continued with their potion making as Rose got Neville set up beside her desk. When Harry glanced back at her, she winked and he turned back to his own potion.
Rose carefully plucked the dried nettles from Neville's stiff fingers. Only when they were safely back in their container, far from the bubbling cauldron did she tap Neville with her wand. He stared at her, bewildered and terrified.
She smiled reassuringly. "Calm down Neville, I'm sorry for doing that to you, but I couldn't let you put more nettles in your potion. You had already put in too much. Don't you remember adding nettles already?"
"No. Did I?" He asked. He looked dreadfully confused.
"Yes Neville, you did. Can't you see that your potion is Much darker than everyone else's?"
"Yes, but I didn't know why."
"It's because of the nettles. Right now this potion is strong enough that a single sip would send a person to sleep for a week. If you had added more, the fumes alone would have knocked out the entire class for a year," Rose explained. Neville started shaking. She put a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right now. I'm going to send this to Madame Pomfrey with a warning label. It's too late to start a new batch now, but I'd be happy to work with you at another time. When would be good for you?" Rose smiled at him.
"T-t-tomorrow night?" He stuttered.
"Great! I'll set up a classroom for us and meet you at the Gryffindor common room tomorrow night after dinner."
Neville nodded. They started cleaning up his things. Rose carefully bottled the potion. After putting a bright orange label on the outside of the bottle, she handed it carefully to Neville. The class was ending and most of the students had gone. She nodded at Neville and he fled the dungeons to head straight to Madame Pomfrey. Rose could see Harry Ron and Hermione cleaning up very slowly as Snape swept towards her.
"Ms. Jameson, I will not tolerate such an interruption in my class again. Do you understand me?" He glared down at her.
She glared right back. "What I understand sir, is that you ignore the Gryffindor students to such an extent that the entire class was almost sent to sleep for a year!" The first year student inside her that remembered being terrified of him was quaking in terror, but her seventeen year old self was full of righteous anger.
Snape's voice went ice cold with rage. "How dare you speak to me in this manner! I'll be speaking to your sister about this."
"You do that," Rose replied calmly. "Be sure and tell her the full story." She turned her back on him and glided from the room. As she past the trio, they grabbed their things and rushed after her.
They found her sitting on the floor at the top of the stairs, her face in her hands. "Wow! I've never seen anyone stand up to Snape like that," Ron said grinning.
Rose looked up quickly. Her eyes were blazing green orbs. Ron stopped grinning and backed up a step. So did Hermione and Harry. Rose blinked rapidly, the green faded to an odd mix of gold and green. "Sorry," she whispered. Then she narrowed her eyes at them. "If I EVER hear of any of you speaking to a teacher like that..." Her voice faded, but the point was made when her eyes turned green again briefly.
The trio nodded affirmatively. Rose sighed and the green faded completely from her eyes. "It's a good thing that he can't take points from Gryffindor for things that I do. You'd be a hundred points behind already." She smiled. "Come on. I'm making us late again." She started down the hall.
The three friends stayed a little behind her. "We have to have a meeting tonight," Harry whispered. "The Common Room, as soon as it's empty."
"Yeah, I want to talk about our new friend," Ron said.
Hermione spoke up, "You two are much too suspicious. Honestly." She sped up to walk beside Rose.
They all rushed into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. As they slid into their seats the trio looked around the room.
Just so you know, When I say the trio I mean Harry Ron and Hermione, I just didn't want to type all that. Going on...
The room had been redecorated again. There were several odd boxes around the room with blue clothes draped over them. The pictures on the wall were quite varied. From a portrait of Rose and her sister that waved cheerfully at them all, to an odd poster with a kitten in a goldfish bowl and a huge Goldfish staring at it.
Rose stood by the desk up front and waited. Professor Jameson rushed in. Rose grinned. "Hello Professor Jameson," she said, trying not to laugh.
"Ms. Jameson, I'll speak with you later. Right now, don't you have work to do?" Cora asked, eyebrow raised at her sister.
"Oh right. Sorry I forgot. See you later." With a wink at the trio and a cheerful wave, Rose was gone.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked Harry.
Harry shrugged. "I don't know."
"You two had better hush," Hermione hissed.
Cora was rummaging through cabinets and drawers all around the classroom. "What are you looking for Professor?" asked Seamus.
"My wand seems to have disappeared," Cora said. "I'm trying to figure out where they've hidden it."
"They?" Hermione asked.
"Yes they. I'll tell you about them later on in the class. Right now I'd like to hear about what you've learned so far." All this was said as she continued around the room. When she reached the front again, she stopped. "I guess I'll have to wait until they bring it back again." She leaned against her desk and surveyed the class. "Well? You must have learned something in the last four years."
Hermione raised her hand of course, but surprisingly, so did Neville. After the Near catastrophe in Potions, the class hadn't expected him to say anything for the rest of the day. Cora smiled at him encouragingly.
"We, we learned how to defeat boggarts with a Riddikulus spell," he said. The class chuckled in memory.
"What's funny?" Cora asked.
The laughter grew as Neville explained about Snape in the dress. A corner of the Professor's mouth turned up, but she managed to keep her amusement in inside. "Oh. Well," she cleared her throat. "What else have you covered?"
The laughter seemed to have relaxed the class because examples came flying at her from all directions.
"Grindywolds."
"Banshees."
"Vampires."
"Trolls."
"Unforgivable Curses."
"Acromantulas."
"Cornish Pixies."
Professor Jameson took all this in, but the last remark by Hermione made her put up her hand for silence. It worked. "Pixies? Why on earth would you study Pixies in a DADA class?"
"Our teacher was Gilderoy Lockhart at the time," Ron said blandly.
"Ah. I see." She looked at Ron. "You said Acromantulas Ron? I don't know of any teacher who would show you a creature with a XXXXX Ministry of Magic rating."
Ron blinked. "Oh, sorry. That was study project."
Cora smiled at him and looked over the class. "You are all a bit behind in some areas, and ahead in others. I'm sure we'll all learn a few things this year." She moved to stand behind her desk. As she did, a wand rolled across the top of it. Cora exclaimed, "Oh thank you for bringing it back!" Then smiled hugely at the class. They stared blankly back at her.
Professor Jameson waved her wand. "Accio subject one." Something round, furry and wriggling frantically appeared on her desk. With her free hand, she grabbed it. Putting down her wand, she cradled the thing in her cupped hands, holding it securely. "This is one of them," she told the class.
"What is it?" Harry asked, staring at it.
The Professor smiled. "It's a cridder."
Dean Thomas snorted. "Of course it's a critter. We can see that, but what kind of critter is it?"
Professor Jameson smiled at him. "Not critter, Cridder. That's what it is a Cridder." The class looked confused. "Let me explain. This is a creature originally found in Ireland, but it has spread all over the world. A distant relative of the leprechaun, it delights in 'borrowing' items just before you need them. Now, it may appear that this is something that you should learn in Magical Creatures, and with many other things, I'd say the same. Such as pixies. But with Cridders, appearances can be deceiving."
As she spoke the thing in her hands changed. It was no longer wriggling, but calm and still. Not only that, it was changing color. It started out gray, but now it was green, now blue, and back to gray again.
"What's deceiving about that?" Ron asked curiously.
Smiling oddly, Professor Jameson held the Cridder out to him. "Would you hold this for me Ron?" Looking uncertain, he held out his hands. "Hold it securely," she warned as she handed it to him.
As Cora released it, the Cridder started wriggling again. By the time Ron had it marginally under control, it was no longer round and furry. Instead it looked quite a bit like a balled up Gryffindor scarf. The class stared. After a moment Cora took it back. For just a second it looked like a wand, and then it reverted to its original gray furriness.
"Oh!" Harry exclaimed, "It takes things from you and then assumes their form so you think you have it... until you need that item. Then it disappears!"
Professor Jameson smiled. "That's exactly right Harry. Can anyone tell me why this is a dangerous thing to have?"
Hermione raised her hand. When Cora nodded, she said, "Because, you could be in a dangerous situation with out your wand. Or something else equally important. Like your homework."
Cora smiled again. "Not exactly the same situation, but yes that's correct Hermione." She went to one of the smallish cloth-covered boxes on the side of the room. After pulling back the cloth, she carefully put the Cridder inside and quickly shut the door. Turning back to the class, "I think that's enough for today. I believe it's time for lunch."
Hermione turned to Ron and Harry. "You two go ahead. I'm going to talk to Professor Jameson for a minute. I'll catch up later all right?" She walked up towards the teacher without waiting for a reply.
Ron glanced at Harry. "Okay sure Hermione," he said to her retreating back. Then to Harry, "What do you suppose that's about?"
"I don't know, but I'm starving. Let's go." As they walked to the Great Hall, everyone was talking about the Cridder. Harry would have liked to discuss it, but Ron seemed distracted. He kept looking back behind them and frowning. Finally Harry asked, "Ron what's wrong?"
"Nothing Harry, it's just, " he paused. "What could Hermione possibly have tot talk to a teacher about on the first day?"
"She probably wanted to make sure there wasn't any homework. You know the other teachers always assign something and Jameson didn't."
"You're probably right," Ron nodded at Harry as they took their seats. The food had already appeared. Harry had already finished a roast beef sandwich when Hermione showed up. Ron on the other hand had only nibbled on a drumstick. That made Harry pay special attention to his interaction with Hermione on her return.
Hermione sat down across from them, a smile on her face. She seemed excited about something. Before she could say a word Ron burst out, "What was that all about?"
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. She helped herself to a drumstick.
"What did you have to talk to Jameson about?" Ron sounded oddly angry.
Hermione frowned at him. "I don't know why you're angry with me. I'll tell what I learned at our meeting tonight."
Ron frowned at his plate, but didn't say anything more. He finished his drumstick in silence. Harry looked at Hermione, questioningly. She shrugged. Finally Harry said, "Well, we have History, Divination, and Herbology this afternoon. How about you Hermione?"
"Well, I have Arithmancy while you two are in Divination. I don't know why you insist on taking that class. It's all rubbish." She took a drink from her pumpkin juice.
Ron looked up. "So now what we study is rubbish!" He exclaimed.
Hermione merely looked at him. "No. Just Divination," she said calmly. Ron looked positively furious and Harry stared at him, shocked.
"So anything that you're not interested in is rubbish," Ron said, glaring.
Harry put a hand on his arm. "Ron,"
"Hey gang. How was the class?" Rose asked, plunking herself down next to Hermione and grabbing a sandwich.
"The class was fine," Hermione said. "It's what happened afterwards that has me confused." She got up. "I'll see you all in history." And with that, she left the Hall.
Ron stood as well. "I'm going for a walk. See you in class." He left in the opposite direction as Hermione.
Rose looked at Harry, bewildered. "What'd I say?"
Harry shook his head. "Wasn't you. Something's up with those two. I just don't know what." He took another bite of his own sandwich and chewed thoughtfully.
Rose smiled. "Since I have you pretty much all to myself, I can ask you what you thought of my sister."
"Your sister?" Harry blinked. "Oh, Professor Jameson. She seems nice. She calls us by our first names. None of the other teachers do that."
"Oh that's because she got her teacher training in America. That how they do it. Makes for a more personable atmosphere." She grinned at him.
"America? So that's where you went after your second year."
Rose winked. "Shall I escort you to History of Magic Mr. Potter?"
Raising an eyebrow at her, "Of course you can Ms. Jameson. Will you be sitting in on that class?" Harry stood up.
"Why of course," she said, mischief bringing a glow to her gold eyes. "Let's just hope it won't be as eventful as Potions."
Rose was right. It wasn't near as eventful. In fact, it was so uneventful that she had to pull out a muggle notebook and start doodling just to stay awake. Professor Binns, being a ghost, did not seem to realize that his lesson was being delivered in a monotone barrage of information. Plus, everyone was a little sleepy after the delicious lunch. Rose was carefully plotting out how she would teach this class, with reenactments, and stories of the people, not just what they did. She had just turned the story of Helga the warrior witch into a short skit when the class ended.
Rose joined the trio at the door to the classroom. Hermione was saying farewell to Harry. Ron was evidently not speaking to her. Harry look was apologetic, Hermione's confused and upset, and Ron's was stubborn. Rose smiled at them all, trying to ignore the tension. "I'm going to join the boys in Divination today. But next time I'm scheduled to go with you to Arithmancy Hermione. Of course, If it's anything like muggle arithmetic, I'm not sure what I can learn in there. I'm a dunce at that type of thing." They started walking in silence after that.
As they separated to go to their respective classes, Rose patted Hermione's arm and whispered, "Don't worry about him. I'll see what I can figure out and I'll talk to you later, all right?" Hermione nodded and left.
Soon, Rose, Ron and Harry were standing at the top landing of a very long flight of stairs. There were no more stairs, and no door off the landing. "So boys, where do we go from here?" she asked. Smiling just a bit, Harry pointed up. Rose looked up in time to see a square of the ceiling open up and a ladder come down. "Oh. I see."
Harry gestured at the ladder. "After you," he grinned at her. Pulling a face at him, Rose climbed the ladder. She was immediate assailed by the overpowering scent of burning incense. The room was dimly lit and smoky. Rose felt the class coming in behind her and moved out of their way. Everyone took a seat in the many armchairs and poufs.
As they sat a voice came eerily out of the smoke, "Ah. Mr. Potter, I fear for your life. A great shadow dims my sight concerning you this year." There was a snort of laughter from Ron's direction. At least, Rose thought it was from Ron, she couldn't see much of anything in the smoke. It was tickling her throat. She wanted very much to cough, but feared that it would be rude. A thin woman draped in gauze, stepped from the fog. She glided to Rose.
"Hello Professor Trelawney. I'm scheduled to sit in on your class this afternoon," Rose whispered. She was afraid that if she spoke louder, the cough would escape.
"Yes Ms. Jameson I know," Trelawney intoned. Her eyes behind her glasses were huge and unblinking. "Please take a seat anywhere."
"All right Professor." Rose carefully seated herself on the maroon pouf at Harry and Ron's table. She swallowed hard. The tickle was getting worse. She shook her head. The smoke was making her head cloudy.
Her odd behavior seemed to pull Ron from his brooding. "Are you okay Rose?" he asked. The lesson was beginning. Trelawney was droning about seeing into the mists of the past to divine the fog of the future. Rose tried to pull herself together in order to reply to Ron, but couldn't seem to do it. Ron looked at Harry. Frowning in concern, he raised his hand.
Trelawney looked at him, her eyes full of pity, "Yes, Mr. Potter?" There was a distinct waver in her voice as she said his name.
Ignoring her tone Harry said, "Professor, I think Rose is having some sort of reaction to the incense. Could I open a window?"
Frowning just a bit at being interrupted for such trifles, the professor nodded. She turned back to the rest of the class. Ron looked at Rose, whose eyes were watering with the effort of not coughing. "Go ahead and cough Rose. She can't do anything to you for it now. And it'll make you feel better." Harry moved to the closest window and started wrestling with the stubborn latch.
With immense relief, Rose coughed, and coughed, and coughed. The whole class had turned to stare at her, and even Trelawney looked concerned. Harry was frantically pulling at the window. Finally Ron said, "Move!" Once Harry was out of the way, he used Hermione's charm on the latch. "Alohomora!"
Even rusted as it was the latch lifted open. Harry went to shove it open, but Rose stopped coughing long enough to gasp, "Wait. use. pillow." then she collapsed into coughing again. Looking confused, Harry tossed a pillow at the window. It opened wide, but when the pillow fell to the window seat, it collapsed. The stone crumbled, the cushions flew out into the open air, and a near foot of the floor fell away.
Amid the screaming and the dust, Rose's cough faded away. Professor Trelawney cleared her throat and asked, "Is everyone alright?"
There were affirmative answers from around the classroom. The dust was settling. Rose could see a dirt-streaked Ron next to her. "Harry. Where's Harry?" She asked suddenly, her voice hoarse.
"Here," Harry's voice said. He was lying on the floor his feet barely an inch away from the edge of the hole. His robes were covered in a thin layer of the dust, but he appeared to be in one piece. Rose moved to his side and started to help him up. "I'm fine," he grumbled. Rose smiled at him, and pulled him up anyway.
There was yelling from the door in the floor. Professor McGonagall's voice called, "What happened up there? Is everything alright?"
Professor Trelawney moved to the door and lowered the ladder. "The floor and part of the wall collapsed," she explained as McGonagall climbed into the room. "Everyone is okay, though I think Ms. Jameson and Mr. Potter should go to the infirmary. Just to be safe." McGonagall looked at them both worriedly.
Harry's eyes widened. "No Professor. I'm fine. Really. Please, I don't need anything." He'd been in the hospital wing enough times to know he didn't want to start out the year there.
Rose agreed readily, "I'm fine now too. It was just the incense. I think I might be allergic to it. I'm fine now though." She grinned. "There's quite a strong airflow in here now." The other students laughed nervously at that and even Professor Trelawney smiled.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Professor Mcgonagall asked. "Perhaps you should go rest instead of attending your next class."
Harry shook his head. "It's the first day Professor. We'll miss too much. Really I'm fine and Rose isn't even wheezing anymore." He smiled reassuringly at the two teachers.
"Well I suppose that's true. Everyone, out of this room immediately. We'll get someone to come and repair the damage. Until then, classes must be held somewhere else." McGonagall said sternly. At Professor Trelawney's expression she merely gestured at the hole in the wall and floor. The class filed out of the room, down the ladder and into the hallway.
Professor McGonagall escorted the class to Greenhouse number four for Herbology. Rose walked between Ron and Harry. The rest of the class seemed fine, if a little shaken up. They were almost out of the tower before Rose remembered her promise to Hermione. She glanced up at Ron. (Remember, she's short) He appeared to have returned to brooding. Smiling a bit, Rose asked, "So Ron, what's the deal?"
"Deal?" He sounded confused, but didn't look it.
"Ron, I don't know you very well, but I can tell by the looks that Harry is giving you, that you are not normally a brooding person," Rose said. Her eyes lightened to an almost blue shade.
"I don't know what you are talking about." He looked nervous.
"Alright then. I'll be specific. What's your deal with Hermione?"
They had fallen a little behind the rest of the class. Even Harry was ahead of them.
Rose looked at Ron. His ears were pink as he repeated, "Hermione?"
"You hurt her you know." Ron said nothing. "She's not keeping secrets from you. At least, not that I can tell. And I usually know when someone is keeping something from someone else." Ron still said nothing, but he looked to be thinking very hard.
They had reached Greenhouse # 5, but since they were early, Professor Sprout was not yet present. Professor McGonagall opened the door and let them in. As Rose filed past her with the rest of the students she said, "Ms. Jameson, I'm leaving you in charge until Professor Sprout arrives. It shouldn't be long." With one last worried glance at the class, McGonagall was gone.
Rose looked around. Ron had joined Harry standing to one side of the room. They were whispering together. The green house was warm and redolent with the smell of dirt and growing things. The class was milling about looking at everything. They all knew better that to touch anything in a witch's garden. You never knew if something was going to eat you or not. Rose sauntered around, keeping her eyes open and her ears perked.
Everyone was talking about the events of the day, from Neville's almost accident in potions, to the disaster in the Divination room. Neville seemed perfectly relaxed and rather in his element now. Rose smiled warmly at him, and he smiled back. She looked over at Ron and Harry. Before she could approach, Hermione burst in with a few other students.
She ran up to the boys, "What happened? Was anyone hurt? Are you alright?" She started patting Ron's arms, as if to make sure they were whole.
"I'm fine Hermione," Ron grumbled, "Fine." He did not however, push her away.
Finally, realizing what she was doing, Hermione stopped and said, "I was sitting in Arithmancy and all of the sudden, stones and cushions started falling past the windows." She moved to stand between the two of them. She then managed to fix them both in place with a single glance. That is something all girls can do, but not always two boys at once. "Now, tell me what happened."
Harry started, "Well, we got in there fine, but Rose started having a reaction to the smoke, so I went to open a window. I couldn't get it open and Rose's coughing got worse, so Ron Alohomora'd the latch. But before I pushed open the window, Rose managed to tell me to use a pillow."
Ron broke in, "Good thing too. When Harry threw the pillow at the window, it swung open fine, but as soon as the pillow hit the window-seat, the whole thing collapsed. Luckily nobody was hurt." They both smiled at her. With their faces still dirt-streaked it was a rather odd sight.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at Rose across the greenhouse. "Hmmm. Maybe you two are right to be a little suspicious. Our new friend is getting stranger and stranger."
Professor Sprout bustled in and class began. Nothing unusual happened throughout the lesson. Except of course the lesson itself. The subject was the Phileo plant, a key ingredient to truth serum. By itself it can show you the truth within yourself. Many wizards and witches had died after eating great quantities of it, because they couldn't handle the ideas it brought them. Rose took notes on the lesson, and on the way the teacher worked with the students. She was also ordered by the professor to help the students to transplant the Phileo plants into new pots. "To give you experience" was the reasoning behind that.
The lesson ended and the class exited the green house. They had about two and a half-hours free time before dinner. Rose approached the trio as they walked back to the castle. "Hey you three, interesting lesson that," She smiled. "How are you boys feeling?"
Harry scoffed, "We're not the ones that nearly coughed up our lungs."
"But, you are the one who almost fell through the hole in the floor," Rose returned.
Hermione punched Harry on the arm. "You didn't tell me that!"
Rubbing his arm, pantomiming pain, "Must have slipped my mind."
Hermione rounded on Ron, "And you didn't tell me either. You were supposed to keep an eye on him!" She punched him on the arm as well.
Now both boys were rubbing their arms. Harry looked indignant, "Why on earth should he have been keeping an eye on me?"
Hermione looked distressed at her own words. Rose broke in, "Ron couldn't watch Harry because he was too busy helping me. I was coughing quite badly by then."
Harry asked again, "Why should he have been watching me?"
Both Hermione and Ron looked embarrassed. Harry scowled. "You two were trying to do that protective thing again, weren't you?" They both looked at the ground. Rose watched, her golden blue eyes twinkling with amusement. {Yes, I said golden blue.} Harry went on, "I asked you both not to do that. I think I've been through enough to prove that I can take care of myself." Hermione and Ron nodded.
"What are you talking about?" Rose asked. Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at her. "I haven't been here for four years, remember?" The trio looked at one another, none of them sure of how to respond.
Harry cleared his throat. "That is a very long story." He glanced at Ron who nodded agreement.
Hermione interrupted, "Not the type of story that can or should be told just before dinner."
"We have two hours free time." Rose broke off at their expressions. "It's longer than that?" She looked at them, incredulous. They nodded.
"Well the story basically covers Harry's whole life. A lot happens in fifteen years," Ron said. Harry and Hermione smiled.
"Of course," Harry said, "the most relevant stuff has been here and in the past four years." He grinned at Rose. "You missed a lot."
"Not all of it good." Hermione said, shuddering in memory.
Ron muttered something that sounded like "giant spiders and snakes"
"Apparently," Rose said, looking at the three of them. "Well it is only the first day of the school year, so you have time to catch me up." By this time they had reached the Gryffindor portrait door.
"Are you allowed in here?" Harry asked Rose. "I mean I know you were a Gryffindor, but you're not a student now so." His voice faded as she grinned at him.
"I should hope so Harry. Considering I slept here last night." She went to the door, "Merlin's Earwax." The portrait swung back to reveal the scarlet and gold Common Room. Rose gestured for them to go ahead of her.
"Where'd you sleep?" Hermione asked. "With the seventh year girls?"
"Them? Oh no. I've got my own room. Sort of." Rose said. She smiled at their confusion. "I'm not a student so I can't room with students. I was given a choice between sharing quarters with my sister or getting a converted supply closet in here. I chose the supply closet." She laughed at Ron and Harry's expressions. "I'm the only one who can get in, unless invited by me."
Hermione was looking around the room. "What supply closet? I didn't know that there was one in here."
Rose grinned again. "The twins did. I had to clear out quite a bit of their things when I moved in." She winked at the trio. "I'm going to gradually return it to them. Little bits at a time will appear, until they either figure out that it's me or I run out of things to give back." They all laughed.
Hermione took Rose's arm and said, "Come with me up to my room. I want to put my books away." With two cheerful waves at Ron and Harry, the two girls went up to the fifth-year girl's dorm. Once there, Hermione looked at Rose. "Well?"
"Oh." Crookshanks was curled on Hermione's bed, asleep. "He just thought you were keeping secrets from him or something. Don't worry about it. I told him you weren't and he seemed fine when you came back didn't he?" Rose smiled at Hermione.
Hermione carefully placed her books on the small shelf next to her bed. "I suppose. Are you sure that was it?" She started picking at her bedspread.
"Pretty sure. I don't know him that well, of course." Rose wiggled her fingers at Crookshanks. He purred loudly.
Hermione looked up from the bed. "I completely forgot, again." She cocked her head at Rose. "That's very strange. I feel like I've known you for years or something."
"What do you think they are doing?" Ron asked Harry in the down in the common room.
"I don't know. Putting books away maybe?" Harry said, looking at his friend oddly.
"Well yes, but why did Hermione need Rose to help her put books away?"
Fred came up behind Ron, "Little brother, haven't you learned yet?"
George put a hand on Ron's shoulder, "Girls do everything in packs. Whether it's putting books away,"
"Or going to the powder room." Fred pulled a face. Harry grinned.
George put his other hand on Harry's shoulder. "We heard that you two have been getting into mischief today." He smiled at Harry. "Now, you know Mum would skin us alive if anything happened to you on the very first day of school." He raised his eyebrows in silent question.
"You have nothing to worry about George Weasley," Rose called from the stairs. She and Hermione were coming down.
"Why not?" Fred asked.
"Because the first day of school is almost over, and he's still in one piece of course." Rose grinned at them as she walked over.
"Ah the lovely Ms. Jameson. You didn't come to any of our classes today." George pouted.
"Yeah, you'd think you didn't like us or something." Fred quipped.
"Oh nothing like that my dears. I was just too busy coughing the walls down." Rose smiled at them both. "Care to escort me to dinner boys?"
With identical grins, {they are twins after all} the two tall redheads held out their arms to the petite one. Winking at Hermione, Rose took the offered arms and exited through the portrait hole.
"That was interesting," Ron said, staring after them. He turned to Hermione. She was looking at the door speculatively. Harry was grinning. Ron shrugged. "Well, let's go to dinner. I'm starved." He started to the doorway. Hermione didn't move. Ron turned when he reached the door. "Well are you coming?" She looked at him for a moment, shrugged, grinned and joined him at the door. Harry shook his head at the two of them and followed.
Dinner was delicious as always. Rose sat with the twins, but she looked over at the trio often. Tonight, Harry sat across from Ron and Hermione. They seemed to have worked out whatever had been bothering them earlier. At one point Fred yelled. He'd reached into his pocket for something and gotten a handful of purple goo that he obviously wasn't expecting. He and George started laughing. Apparently the goo was a failed experiment of theirs, that they had thought lost. Amid the laughter, Rose winked at Hermione. After dinner Rose excused herself to go speak with her sister. The trio returned to the common room.
A/N
I have just combined what was formerly chapters 1, 2 , and 3 into a single first chapter. I hope this doesn't confuse my faithful readers, but I had just decided that the sheer number of chapters may be what is deterring readers. Especially since I realized that I myself was unlikely to start reading a story that was more than 20 chapters… odd I know, but there it is.
Thank you all for reading!
Tara