Day 1, 1993

Walking through the corridors of Hogwarts, I felt a sense of pride as I reached the Headmaster's office. Albus Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards of all time was about to hire me, little old me, as a Professor here at Hogwarts. No longer was I a simple waitress, now I am a teacher of Muggle Studies, ready to educate the students in any way I can. Of course there were nerves slipping through, I think I tripped about three times on the way up here; the caretaker was looking at me like I was mad. Though I was extremely nervous, and it wasn't just the fact that I was about to see my old headmaster again; nor the fact that in less than twenty-four hours I would be teaching my very own class; it is because of the rumoured return of Lord Voldemort. Rumours had been flying around the wizarding world ever since Harry Potter arrived at Hogwarts, truthfully I didn't know what to believe but this was a once in a lifetime chance, working here. I have to take it, I must! I finally took the courage to speak up as I reached the entrance to the Headmaster's office as I spoke the phrase, 'Sherbet Lemon.' A Staircase soon appeared and I walked up to meet my new boss.

"Ah, Charity, good of you to make it!" Professor Dumbledore gave me small smile as he arose from his desk, arms in the air. The room was round and polished, portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses lining the wall. Apart from the great amount of paintings along the walls of the office; a large bookcase curved around most of the room. I approached the great wizard's desk and took a seat opposite to the man. A Phoenix lay near me on a pedestal and I admired its beauty.

Dumbledore spoke again with his usual strong but trusting voice, "I see you're quite fond of my Phoenix, Fawkes."

I smiled and nodded to the headmaster. "Yes! I have always been fascinated by the wonders of mystical creatures and animals.

"But that is not the reason you have come to Hogwarts, is it not? I believe that you were in successful in attaining that post of Muggle Studies Professor. The previous Professor got a case of Scrofungulus, dreadful disease it is. Anyway, I would just like you to welcome back to Hogwarts and hope that your valuable teaching skills can bring much to the education at Hogwarts."

"Thank-you with all my heart Professor Dumbledore, you do not how much this means to me!"

Dumbledore rose his hand up and showed a humble smile. "Please, call me Albus."

"Albus," I smiled and bowed towards the Professor, "Thank-you."

"I shall see you at the feast later on tonight Charity and in the meantime, please head down to your office, just walk down the adjacent corridor and it's the third door on the left. So long Charity, good luck!"

I bowed once more to the Headmaster and stepped out the room, slowly walking down the stone staircase and into the corridor. I took the Headmaster's directions and found my room for teaching, as well as my conjoining office. The room still had the previous posters and artefacts left from last year's teaching so I didn't have to change much around. One thing I did decide to display on my front desk was my rare Jevulia Rose, a beautiful purple flower with bright green thorns. Once a person conjures up such flower, it blooms forever as long as that person is happy.

I took a step back for a moment, contemplating my life and then stepped back, falling onto the couch behind me.

"Maybe I'll just rest my eyes for a few seconds." I positioned myself into a comfortable position on the couch, rested my head on my two hands and shut my eyes. It must have been a number of hours before I awoke from my prolonged sleep and I realised that I had overslept.

"Oh pollypox, I overslept!" I raced up from the couch and ran into my office, where my belongings had already been placed. Ripping open my suitcase, I yanked my dress robes out of the case and as I did, I heard a loud rip. My robes had slit near the waist though this was no time to worry about a minor problem like this. Throwing the robes over my head I raced out my classroom and down the corridors, no students to be seen, I'm late! I ran as fast as I could to the Great Hall, tripping several times along the way. I reached the doors of the Great Hall, breathing a sigh of relief, pushing open the doors of the Great Hall. I tried not to make a sound but tripped over a house elf that was carrying a bowl of extremely hot soup, which burned by hand. Trying not to be fazed by this, I began hobbling up to the front table to join the other teachers. By this point of course, the students were already staring at me, laughing, I was used to that though.

"Charity! I thought you might have got lost along the way!" Dumbledore spoke calm and justified and we shared a small smile. "Students, could you please join with me in welcoming Professor Charity Burbage, who is taking over from Professor Biggins' role as Muggle Studies teacher." Dumbledore began to applause and soon was joined by the rest of faculty and students. By that time I had already reached the front table and took my place between a nice looking round woman with grey curly hair and a dark haired man, in black robes; the latter intriguing me the most.

The night continued once I had taken my seat and everyone continued to eat. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, pastries, savouries, pasties, pies, dessert, drinks, meats and vegies! But where was my food though? The plates next to be were full of food although my plate which sat before me was empty. Before I could finish my thoughts, a house elf appeared before me with a notebook and quill.

"Orders Miss!" The wide eyed house elf was stared right at me and I was totally taken by surprise.

"Um, er, sorry, what?

"Orders for dinner of course! What would you like to eat? The elf seemed a bit impatient so I tried to think of something quick.

"Oh yes of course, Toad and Wiggentree Crumble?"

"Nice choice, Miss!" The elf apparated away to the kitchens as I sat there regretting my decision.

Toad and Wiggentree Crumble? What was I thinking! That is one of the most disgusting dishes in the wizarding world! Why did I choose that!

The elf soon appeared with my meal, placed it before me and bowed, shortly before apparating. It—looked—disgusting. The round lady next to me peered over my food and laughed.

"Is that the bark of a Wiggentree?" I looked over to her and sadly nodded, she laughed. "Oh, well I guess people have different taste buds. The name's Pomona Sprout, teach Herbology, pleasure to meet you."

I shook the lady's hand, "Charity; nice to meet you. I only accidently ordered this by the way, the elf looked tired." I stared down at my meal; the bark from the wiggentree encased the steamed toad which in turn was garnished by what looked to be parsley.

The night continued as I ate; the dark haired man left without warning, a student threw up after eating too much custard and we were treated to a delightful performance by the school choir, which was simply wonderful! Once the night was brought to a close, I proceeded back to the office, trying to talk to students along the way; most of them didn't even make eye contact though. One nice girl named Luna managed to have a conversation with me although I wasn't quite sure what she was on about, something about nargles I think? Nevertheless, it was nice of her to stop and say hello. I'm really looking forward to my first day of teaching tomorrow, I just can't wait! Although my hand is still burning from the soup, so far Hogwarts has been—magical!