From the World of Harry Potter: After the Epilogue*

Written by Makenna Knighton

*Note: The train leaves on September 1st. This means Chapters 1 and 2 are actually before the Epilogue and 3, is on the same day as the Epilogue written in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Chapter 1: Before the Great Hall

Angela Kroft walked unsurely into the Hogwarts Headmasters' Room, trying to appear cool and confident. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

"I heard you were in need of a Charms teacher?" This was actually not true. She had not merely heard it, but received an owl saying that she was a possible choice for teacher.

Headmaster Short turned around. "Celina?" he asked loudly, and then lowered his voice to a mutter, "Didn't think you'd be back so soon."

Angela's mouth shrank to half its normal size. "No, Angela Kroft," She said in a tight, cool voice that plainly said, I want nothing to do with her.

"Aah, jolly good," Short grinned and shuffled through his papers. "Ravenclaw graduate, top of your year with Miss Celina Springley, how nice…Angela Christine Richardson previously, been married to Robert Kroft, a Ravenclaw 2 years younger, for 4 years this November…"

He paused in his recitation and peered down at Angela, glasses on the edge of his nose. "Planning on having any kids?"

"I- I don't know, sir," Angela squeaked, feeling that this was a most awkward question. "Most likely."

"Good," He said, reclining back. "Always good to have plenty of Ravenclaws on hand."

Angela held back the urge to laugh. It sounded like he had actual ravens' claws. "Well," she started, clearing her throat, "Will-"

"I get on with it? Of course, let's see….you got an E on your Defense against the Ark Arts O.W.L."

Angela felt that this was irrelevant to the conversation. "I had an O in everything else, besides Divination," she said, a trifle defensively.

"Yes, yes, that's fine…how did you like that class?"

"Divination? Er, Trelawney was a fine teacher," Angela answered, a little too quickly.

"No, no, Defense against the Dark Arts."

"It was fine. Yes, I enjoyed most of my Professors, but with many of them I felt I could have taught better." Now she felt embarrassed. Why was she telling him this? He had been in sixth year (Hufflepuff) when she entered Hogwarts; he had had some of those professors.

Pleasure was evident on Short's face. "Very good, very good…"

"But, what does my liking of Defense against the Dark Arts have to do with me applying for Charms teacher, sir?"

"Feel free to call me Martin, Angela," Short said with a small smile. "Or Short, if you prefer."

"I already know a Martin," Angela explained, "but Short will do just fine."

Short gave a small little cough. "Now, back to what you saying before?"

"Yes, I believe I came to discuss becoming Charms teacher, and yet you seem most interested in my DADA history?" Angela phrased her statement as a question.

"Well, you see…" Short trailed off awkwardly. "Miss Springley is already occupying that position."

Even a Muggle (who had never heard of Legilimency) surely would have known exactly what Angela was thinking, had they seen her face.

"But I can offer you Defense against the Dark Arts. And," Short added grandly, ignoring Angela's murderous expression, "a spot as Head of Ravenclaw House."

Angela gasped, focusing in on only one thing: a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, head of Ravenclaw? "But…it's always been Charms!"

"Oh, it could still be Charms." Short explained, "If you refuse, Celina will be Head and I will find another teacher for Defense against the Dark Arts."

An image played through Angela's head of Celina Springley with a smug smile as Headmaster Short told her the news.

"No, no, I must accept." Angela said immediately. "I will see you in the Great Hall on September 1st." And, feeling there was nothing more to say, she left.

The morning of August 31 dawned bright and sunny. Angela awoke to the sound of soft footsteps outside her door. She sat up, puzzled. Brian was never up before her!

"Happy Birthday, dear!" Brian announced, walking into their bedroom. "I brought you your favorite meal." He set a tray on her lap.

Angela surveyed the selection with jubilance: chocolate chip pancakes, turkey bacon, one link of sausage, a perfectly ripe banana... "Oh, Brian!" She gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Not much of a birthday snog," Brian said, but he soon got his desire.

"What else did you get me?" Angela teased once they had finished eating (Brian had a tray of his own).

"A shopping trip in Diagon Alley?" Brian phrased it like a question, although he had been "getting" her this same thing for several years.

"Sounds great!" Angela announced. And they were off.

Angela and Brian, hand in hand, walked down Diagon Alley. Angela couldn't help but laugh at the sight of last-minute Hogwarts shoppers. "Just think, those are going to be my students tomorrow!" She said to herself.

"So what would you like?" Brian asked her.

"I need a couple basic spell books," Angela began.

Brian stared at her. "Why?"

"To know what my students' knowledge is." She explained. "It's been so long since I've been at school, or had anything to do with kids of this age…"

Brian nodded. "Are you okay to get your books alone? I…um…"

Angela tried to suppress her smile. Brian had had a feud with Tom Junior (the bartender's son) while they were at Hogwarts and he did not like going near him.

"Sure," She answered him. "Meet me here in an hour and a half, is that alright?"

"Are you going to spend too much?" Brian asked worriedly.

"I've already budgeted for it," Angela laughed. "Go."

And so he did. Angela waved until he was out of sight. After a few other errands, she walked over to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

As she entered the store, a bell jingled. The store mirrored its owner- friendly and rather small. Frugal as she was, Angela decided it would be best to search in the back, where the clearance was. Usually she could find something to suit her back here. But today, nothing really caught her eye. So, Angela went to plan B.

"Madame Malkin?" Angela asked as Madame toddled over, looking harried. "How are you?" Angela added kindly.

"I just finished fitting some kids for their school robes. You'd think they could get some before today…" She trailed off. "So what would you like?"

"Well, I could really use a new dress robe…"

At this Madame Malkin looked positively delighted. "Wait here, honey! I have something that's just perfect."

Angela waited obediently. Oh, I do hope I like it. It would be very rude to refuse something that she thinks is "perfect" for me. She thought.

Madame Malkin returned, holding a woman's dress robe in Ravenclaw blue.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Angela exclaimed.

"I can give it to you for 13 Galleons, 18 Sickles." Madame Malkin added tantalizingly.

"I must try it on!" Angela Apparated away. She came back a few minutes later.

Madame Malkin said simply, "It is for you," when she saw Angela wearing it.

Angela paid her the according amount. "Thank you for everything!" She said as she walked out the door.

A few minutes later, Angela tapped her foot impatiently. Where is Brian? He's almost fifteen minutes late, she thought.

Just as she was about to pull out her two-way mirror, a small Pop sounded and Brian Apparated next to her.

"Sorry, dear," He panted.

Angela demanded, "Why are you late?"

"I met one of my co-workers," Brian said vaguely. And, try as she might, this was the only information that Angela could get out of him.