Hello everyone! This is an idea that has recently come to me and I haven't written pr posted on here in a while so I thought I would see what you think before doing anymore. Please let me know what you think.

A year I will never forget

The cool, crisp, Scottish air freshens my lungs, a shock to the dry, dust filled air that I have experienced in the past few years. As I take my first breaths of the place I will call home for the next year, my gaze turns to the tall standing black gates that open to my arrival. The sky-scraping pine trees show a narrow corridor leading to the mystifying castle standing strong in the distance. The wind softly flows through my tied, light brown, tight hair, whistling over my beret as I stand taking in the view. I shifted my feet in my military issued boots that had given me far too many blisters whilst I was breaking them in. The boots making a harsh sound against the gravel underfoot. Why I came in my kit was a question which I don't know the answer to unfortunately. You see it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I ever thought I would be out of that sandpit, that sandpit is my life. It feels strange coming home for visits let alone now moving to a place where it has to be at least a good 15 odd degrees cooler. I pick up my Bergan and throw it over my shoulder as I begin my trek to the castle doors, my cobalt coloured eyes scanning the trees for a threat that I know does not exist. As I move forward I can't help but think back to the last few crazy weeks.

Flashback

I shifted through the last few packs of bandage supplies I had with me checking them off my clipboard, it wouldn't be long until the next medic trainees came through on their first tour of Afghan. I was here to train them and prepare them for the horrors they would have to face outside the walls of bastion. That was rather a difficult job, nothing can truly prepare you for that type of carnage. I tiredly rubbed my forehead and glanced down at my watch, 26 hours I had been awake and I was only then starting to feel the effects of sleep deprivation, granted it was something you became accustom to overtime but never truly got over. I sighed deeply and rubbed both hands over my face.

Crack!

I jumped straight up reaching for my gun in my waist belt, ready to face the sound that had startled me.

"No need to be so hasty Ava." The soft voice of Albus Dumbledore filled my ears. I looked into his eyes and saw that annoying twinkle they always held. I rolled my eyes and sat back down onto the camp-bed I had everything laid out on, taking note of his bright purple robes that never seemed to be anymore dull than when I saw them previously.

"What brings you here Albus?" I asked getting back to my checklist gesturing for him to take a seat. I felt the weight shift slightly as his older form perched on the edge to avoid and mishap of my equipment.

"I am afraid I have come to ask you something that may inconvenience you greatly young one." He said to me in a serious tone. I looked up at him in confusion and lowered my clipboard.

"I am listening." I gave him my full attention as he sighed showing his years, "Is everything alright sir?"

"Yes Ava, as well as they could be at a time such as this. Please do not take offence to what I have to say to you, I understand that your duty here is very highly regarded." I nodded my head slightly as he continues. "I am at a loose end as to who to take on as the Defence Against the Darks Arts professor this year. As you know the ministry took over that position last year and did indeed, as predicted by yourself, make a shambles of the subject."

I snorted in disbelief, no matter how much I warned him, he refused to listen.

"I know my dear." He had agreed as though he could hear my thoughts, "My proposition for you as it were, is to come and fulfil that role this year and hopefully correct the damage that has been caused."

I raised an eyebrow. "You do realise that I am half way through a tour out here and to just basically ditch my position would be career suicide right?"

"That is why I do not ask this of you lightly."

"Who are your other choices?" I sighed.

"Your uncle but after the last time he came to Hogwarts it did not end as well as we had intended."

I thought back to the year of the Tri-wizard Tournament and shuddered slightly, that really was not a good year for Uncle Moody.

"Any other options?"

"I am afraid not at this short of notice my dear."

The old fool had planned this out, meddling idiot, he knew how to play me too well. My Uncle would be rather disappointed if I didn't take this offer on behalf of him.

"When do you need me?" I say in a reluctant tone.

"Excellent!" he clapped his hands together and smiled, "Term starts in two weeks and I will assume that you can handle the Muggle aspect of things?"

"Yes Albus, but how quickly I can make it happen is another issue."

That was two weeks ago, after making some excuse that my Uncle and only living relative had been seriously injured in a car crash I had resigned at short notice with my commanding officer telling me there would always be a place for me to come back to. Bloody lucky really. I had been put on the first flight out of the sandpit, gathered my things from my barracks and here I am.

Still in uniform.

I take the last few steps up to the grand wooden doors that lead into the main hall. The loud conversations of hundreds of students and cutlery, clattering happily filled my ears.

I take a deep breath. It can't be worse than being in the sandpit. I hope silently to myself.

I knock loudly on the door three times.

The noise from the hall stops almost immediately.

"Enter." I hear Albus' voice echo.

I push one of the heavy doors with my hand and step into the room. Four elongated tables stretch the entire length of the hall. White fluffy clouds hang above with floating candles not more than 9 foot off the ground. A long table standing strong at the end of the hall littered with golden goblets and delicious looking food.

Every single head was staring at me whilst I let the door close behind me. I must have been quite a sight, some people will have never seen anyone dressed as such let along in a uniform that is slightly dust covered.

Remembering my drills I keep my back straight and walk toward the head table. I see Albus smile and softly drift through the table to greet me. I smirk back at him still not sure why I came in the first place.

"Ava!" he extends his arms as I move nearer.

"Albus." I smile and move into his embrace whilst dropping my bag near to where I am stood.

"I trust your travels went well?" he asks as he steps away.

"Not entirely but it was manageable."

"I see well I should expect you are hungry?"

"Famished! To be honest Albus I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal." He gave me a knowing look. He turns back towards the table and addresses his staff.

"I would like you all to meet Ava our new Defence professor." I look at the responses and I can't say I disagree with them. Most of the professors look at me in a shocked and disapproving way.

"Albus you can't be serious! She is merely a child!" a rather plump woman states the obvious.

"Ma'am I am 24 and am quite capable. Thank you for your concern though." I smile lightly to show here I did not take offence. Inside I could understand her reasoning but I have probably seen and been through more than what she has in her life.

"I can assure you Pomona that I would not have invited Ava here if I did not think that she could handle a class of children." Albus said sternly to Pomona. He looks over the other professors and smiles calmly. "Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Severus Snape will both be you mentors whilst you are here. Anything you need you shall report to them."

"Ok." I say taking in Professor Snape's looks. He doesn't seem too impressed with that idea but looks at me curiously all the same. Out of all of the professors he is the only one which may have any idea as to what I have been through, there is a look in his eye that screams out that he is not who he is acting to be.

"Take a seat next to Professor Snape and you can get to know one another." I nod at his request. I move to pick up my bag and realise that it has vanished. Damn house elves. I would need to get used to that. I shake my head lightly and move round behind the table to take my place next to Professor Snape. I quietly sit down in the wooden high backed chair and look for the first time over the students, all of which are staring right at me. I take off my beret and sigh quietly to myself.

"What have I gotten myself into?"

PLEASE let me know what you think! My chapters are normally slightly longer than this but I want to see what you think before writing more. Thank you for reading :)