A sinking nervousness filled Kaylee's entire body as her hands fidgeted together. The big crimson train was nearing its stop at an exquisite castle Kaylee Kendall could see getting closer out her window. She was straightening her robs when the train halted to a stop and she entered the hallway that was littered with her comrades for the next year. Kaylee was in a strange place with strange people and she would be lying if she said she wasn't a bit scared and intimidated. She exited the train behind a tall man with shoulder length black hair. He turned around and helped her out of the train car. Kaylee smiled and thanked him. He broke what looked like a half smile.
"I am Severus Snape, you must be the new potions teacher from the America."
"Yes, I am Kaylee Kendall. It's a pleasure to meet you" Kaylee said as her and Pro. Snape shook hands. They climbed into the same carriage along with a teacher who introduced herself as Madame Hooch and a man who kept eying her who introduced himself as the new teacher of Herbology
A short carriage ride later Kaylee was pleased to find that Severus, as he insisted on her calling him, was in fact quite pleasant. Madam Hooch seemed nice but a bit quiet and the herbology teacher seemed to be a bit strange. He kept staring at her and eying her legs, something about him made her very uneasy. They exited the carriage and she stared in awe at the castle. Severus leaned in a bit and said with amusement. "Enjoy it while you can. Once the children get here there will be no quiet." Kaylee let a little laugh out, as she was escorted into the castle and up to the second floor. All of the other teachers hurried off in other directions and she was left standing alone in a long corridor. "Welcome Professor Kendall. I am Albus Dumbledore it is a pleasure to have someone of your caliber teaching at our wonderful school. Now I am sure you are exhausted from your extensive trip so do follow me and I will take you to your quarters." Smiling she followed Albus as he was explaining about how the staircases switched a bit of trickery he seemed to enjoy. They passed the stairs and behind a pillar was a door. Dumbledore handed her a key which unlocked the door. The room was very spacious with a sitting room, a fireplace, and some doors that lead to what appeared to be the bedroom. "My dear, it's not much but I am sure you will make it home. I should tell you that the Grand Hall is at the end of the hall from which we just came. Dinner will be served at 7 so you have sometime to settle in." Kaylee smiled graciously and thanked him profusely. "Oh and Ms. Kendall don't worry they will respect you if you demand it, your age won't be a factor." Kaylee nodded in amazement that Dumbledore knew exactly what had been worrying her.
Kaylee sat in her sitting room she had made things a bit homier decorating her quarters very elegantly. Time like this is what she hated the most, it left her alone with her thoughts. How could these students respect her when she was barely 17? She knew she was good, if not the best potions master in the United States. She had excelled in her school in the states, graduating a year early and taking a job at the US Ministry of Magic before receiving an owl from Dumbledore asking her to join their staff at Hogwarts, which was the most elite magic school in the world. She slowly got up and paced, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her long honey blond hair, her tanned skin, her toned body, and her blue eyes. She was still trying to figure out if her reasoning for taking this post was to rid herself of Landon McKay her boyfriend who she felt was getting to serious. She silenced her thoughts as her clock struck 7; she hurried out of her dorm and back down the hallway.
The Grand Hall wasn't something you could miss, the doors stood 20 feet tall and you could here clamber of voices beyond them. She walked in and found all of the teachers sitting at a table at the front of the room. Kaylee found a seat next to Severus and ate dinner rather quickly. She listened to Snape tell her about Potions and how he had heard of her work and that he was the former Potions master. He explained about the 4 houses and informed her he was Head of House of Slytherin, which was the best house. Dumbledore stood up and welcomed his staff. "You might have noticed the young lady sitting next to Severus. No she is not a student; she is the new potions master, Kaylee Kendall. I am sure you all know her by reputation but are a bit surprised that such accomplishments were done by such a young lady. Welcome Kaylee. Next is Bradmore Wincheston he is the new Herbology teacher as most you know Pro. Sprout decided last year was well in fact her last year. Welcome back old and new." He raised his cup and everyone followed and had a nice toast. Kaylee talked to numerous Professors which all were very welcoming; by the time she made it back to her quarters it was well after midnight. She got back and sank into her bed and fell asleep straight away. The next week went by quickly she was getting her lesson plans together, getting her classroom to look less dismal, and getting to know the rest of the staff.
Kaylee had hardly realized that today was the day the students were to arrive she stepped out of her classroom, in a pair of low cut jeans and a tank top, with her hands full of scrolls into a hall full of students. She quickly started walking toward her quarters when she caught a pair of cold blue eyes. "Oy, you there, stop." Taken back Kaylee stopped and turned on her heel to face the boy. "Where are your robes? It is near time for the sorting ceremony and you aren't dressed. I will let you go with a warning but try to make it to your dormitory before any teachers see you." He said as he winked at her. Kaylee couldn't help but smile as she replied, "Well thank you that's nice of you." His smile grew wider, "You're American, no wonder I don't know you. Well I will be seeing you hopefully your sorted into Slytherin." Kaylee nodded and walked quickly to her living quarters. Trying to shake the boy out of her head. She quickly got dressed in a knee length skirt and a white blouse and a deep green cloak.
She walked quickly to the Grand Hall and took her usual seat next to Severus who smiled warmly at her and than went back to a sullen glare at the students. The sorting began and seemed to last quite awhile. Kaylee could feel eyes on her, but it seemed like most of the male students were staring at her, one boy at the Gryffindor table had his mouth open and was staring. She smiled at him and he quickly looked away. Dumbledore stood up and a hush fell over the students. "Just a few announcements. As always the Dark Forest is forbidden, Master Filch would like each student to check his update on banned items, and last we are joined by two new teachers. First is the Professor Wincheston who will be taking over Pro. Sprout and last is Professor Kendall who will be taking over potions. Please welcome them. Now everyone I have but one last word, Enjoy." As the last word escaped his lips the feast appeared in front of them. Kaylee looked up and caught the blue eyes she had seen earlier. She smiled at him and he smirked back at her. Severus caught the look between them, "I see you have meet Draco Malfoy, one of my favorite students." Kaylee smiled and Snape, "Yes, he thought I was a student and told me to put on my robes." With that Kaylee and Severus shared a laugh. The feast ended and Kaylee made her way up the corridor towards her quarters. As she was unlocking her door, hidden behind the column she heard a group of boys talking loudly. She opened her door as she heard her name. "That Professor Kendall is hot, maybe I can get into some private study sessions and she can mentor me." The boys were laughing as Kaylee stepped out from behind the column so they could see her. The boys stopped in there tracks and the tall red head who had been talking turned a ripe crimson. Kaylee smiled up at him, "Hello Boys, shouldn't you be in your dormitories. It's past curfew." A boy with dark hair, green eyes, and glasses smiled, "Sorry, Professor we were just helping Ron here do his prefect duties." Kaylee smiled "No problem it will be our little secret." Turning she said to Ron, "You better hope you don't need private lessons I am hard as nails, especially on the students I 'mentor'" She left it at that as she closed the door behind her.
The next morning at 8:30 her first class was shuffling in. A group of Slytherin and Gryffindor first years. The class went very well and all of the first years seemed to be completely enthralled in her lesson. At the end of her lesson she excused the students many of them who lingered to ask her multiple questions about Potions that were too advanced for them anyhow. By the time her last, first year left her class was nearly full of her Advanced NEWT students. She scanned the rows of students and found in the middle of the room was one of the boys from last night; He was seated next to pretty girl with bushy hair. The class fell silent as Kaylee began to speak, "Welcome to Advanced Potions, I am Professor Kendall and I will be teaching everything you will need to know to be successful." Kaylee picked up the parchment with the roll on it and went over it becoming familiar with the students; she learned to her surprise that the boy from last night was the infamous Harry Potter.
As she began her lecture the girl next to Potter shot her hand in the air. "Yes?" Kaylee said eying the girl. "Professor, I was jus wondering if you are 'the' Kaylee Kendall." Kaylee smiled and laughed, "Yes, Ms. Granger I am." The girl looked at her in awe and she heard her mumble wow under her breath. "Now let's continue, shall we? The potion I am going to have you work on is called the Awaybesas Potion. It is, as I said, simple but it will help me gauge what level of potions mastery you are all on." Kaylee was about to continue on with the lecture when the door swung open and Draco entered. "Sorry Professor had some head boy duties to attend to." She looked at him to gauge if he was being truthful. "Fine, take a seat we are discussing the Awaybesas Potion and its effects." Draco passed the empty seats at the back of the room and took the seat nearest Kaylee's desk. She finished her lecture and with a flick of her wand the instructions were on the board. "Now class follow the instructions and you should be fine. If you have any questions ask immediately." With that Kaylee took a seat and read over some of the notes the first years had made about some of the beginning potions. Her attention was placed on Draco as he raised his hand. Trying not to distract the others Kaylee got up and went over to him. "How can I help you Mr. Malfoy?" She saw a mischievous smile cross his face. "Oh you can help me in a lot of ways but that's not why I raised my hand. I'm done. Simple potion if you ask me." Kaylee couldn't help but smile a bit, "Well Mr. Malfoy I didn't ask you. Bottle up a vial and bring it to my desk for grading." With her final word she turned on her heel and walked back to her desk. A few minutes later Draco made his way up to her. "Listen Mr. Mal-'' Draco interrupted "Call me Draco. After all you are not older than me." Kaylee eyed him, "Who told you?" He smirked "Not that I had to be told, but Professor Snape told me all about you, Kaylee." She was feeling a little annoyed "Mr. Malfoy why would Pro. Snape tell you about me?" He smirked again "Because I asked and I told you to call be Draco." She smiled at him trying hard not to show that she was the least bit phased by him. "Ok. Mr. Malfoy you can take your seat and start working on the report. One parchment on the effects of the potion and proper time to use it." He nodded and walked away.