Wow, another chapter up in one day. I'm amazed at myself. Usually, I'm very lazy when it comes to typing.

I've tried to balance out between Hetalia and Harry Potter, by not focusing too much on either one and trying to make it even. Tell me if you think I'm focusing too much on either one.

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Chapter 2~ Of Flying Mint Bunnies and Other Stuff

There was utmost silence in the Great Hall after Dumbledore's introduction of the new teacher. Then, a wave of noise erupted among the students. Even the ghosts were whispering uneasily among themselves. Never before in Hogwarts' history had a muggle ever become a teacher.

"Care of Magical Creatures?"

"What happened to Hagrid?"

"Maybe he got sacked."

"Good riddance to that oaf." This particular comment came from the direction of the Slytherin table and most probably from Malfoy.

Hermione looked dumbstruck. "B-but what happened to Hagrid?" she whispered to an equally confused Harry and Ron. "He couldn't have got himself sacked, did he?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat and all conversations grounded to a halt. "Professor Hagrid is on leave for a while." he said calmly, the candlelight from the chandelier reflecting off his half-moon spectacles. "Professor Kirkland will be teaching temporarily until Professor Hagrid returns. He is a very qualified teacher, and I assure you that he is just as good as Professor Hagrid."

Several people snickered loudly.

Dumbledore suddenly smiled brightly. "Enough talk about staff appointments! I know that you're all ravenous, so tuck in!"

For the rest of the feast, Harry focused entirely on eating his steak and potatoes. Next to him, Ron was inhaling the food as though he had not eaten for a thousand years.

Hermione however, was deep in thought. Even after the feast had finished and they were walking back to the Gryffindor common room, she didn't utter a single word at all.

Finally, Harry just had to ask her. "What're you thinking about, Hermione?" he said.

Hermione glanced at Harry and ignored Ron, who was yawning very loudly. "Nothing." she said a bit too quickly. "I just think that it's kind of interesting that a muggle's going to be teaching us Care of Magical Creatures. I mean, he's a muggle. Should he be able to handle all those dangerous magical creatures?"

They turned a corner and faced the potrait of the Fat Lady. She eyed the trio. "Password?"

"Flying Hipogriffs." The potrait swung forward to admit them.

Ron yawned again. "Well, we'll find out about him tomorrow, eh? We have him after lunch. If a Flobberworm bites off his fingers then, we'll know he's just an ordinary muggle."

Hermione looked slightly amused as she headed to the girls dormitory. "Ron, Flobberworms have no teeth."

England looked around his new quarters that Dumbledore had provided for him. It was well furnished, yet simple enough for England's taste. The old gradfather cloak in one corner of the room ticked almost silently, and a four poster bed with hangings awaited him. The oil lamp sitting on a coffee table gave off a warm yellow glow, bringing back memories to him of a time when electricity had not been invented yet. The luggage that he'd brought with him was placed on his bed. England opened it and pulled out a few pieces of clothing to hang up in a wardrobe that was nearby.

It was almost midnight. Somewhere in the schoolgrounds, an owl hooted as it hunted for prey in the Forbidden Forest. Absentmindedly, England wondered how his fellow nations were doing. Granted, they were most probably be in an uproar over his sudden disappearance. Well, at least, those that hadn't listened to him during his speech in the recently concluded World Conference. And those that had listened, well, England wasn't too sure what they were going to say to those that hadn't listened.

With a sigh of content, England fell on his bed fully clothed. He was fast asleep even before his head hit the pillow.

The next day after lunch, the Gryffindors and Slytherins headed down to Hagrid's cabin for their first Care of Magical Creatures lesson of the year. The students were muttering excitedly among themselves, eager yet a bit apprehensive. After all, their teacher was still new and almost virtually unknown. Was he strict? Did he like to give detentions to students who didn't pay attention in class? Was he boring? Or (heavens help them), was he like Snape?

"Hey, Potter!" A familiar yet dreaded drawl from the Slytherin group was heard as Harry walked past them.

Harry didn't even turn back to face Malfoy. "Go disturb someone else, Malfoy."

Malfoy's eyes glittered maliciously. "I was just discussing with my friends what might've happened to your big friend, Hagrid. Oh yeah," Malfoy smiled mockingly. " They've replaced him with a filthy muggle. Man, times must be really hard if Dumbledore had no choice but to employ a muggle, especially one who looks like he's fresh out of school."

Hermione glared at Malfoy. "You can give your comments about him after he has actually taught you, Malfoy." she snapped. "Come on, Harry, Ron."

Malfoy's voice could still be heard in the background even after they had walked a considerable distance from him. "... wait until my father hears about this. I bet you ten Galleons that that muggle's going to be fired by the end of this week..."

Professor Kirkland was waiting at the edge of the Forbidden Forest near Hagrid's house. "Come on, come closer, guys!" he barked to Malfoy and the Slytherins who were all trying to avoid entering the Forbidden Forest. "You won't be able to see it if you don't come closer!"

With a sour look, Malfoy reluctantly stepped closer to the professor. Harry grinned at Ron. Any teacher who was willing to diss Malfoy was usually a teacher he'd turned out to like.

"Now," England said after gathering the students together. "The creature you're about to see is really rare and sensitive to loud noises, so no loud chatting or any sudden screaming, or I'll dock points off your houses." He paused to let that comment sink in. "Ready? I'll call out for it now." He took a deep breathe. "Hey there, Flying Mint Bunny! You can come out now!"

A few snorts and snickers were heard from the students. Pansy Parkinson laughed shrilly. "Flying mint bunny?"

England looked disapprovingly at Pansy. "Five points from Slytherin." he snapped, effectively wiping the grins off the faces of the Slytherins. " I warned you not to make any noises."

Suddenly, out of nowhere, his beloved pet appeared. The Flying Mint Bunny flapped its mint-green wings while staring curiously at the students with an inqusitive look.

A few "oohs" were heard from the girls and "eh?" from the boys. England noticed a female student breathe out in excitement as she traced the movement of the Flying Mint Bunny.

England turned to stroke the Flying Mint Bunnt. "Hey there, cutie." he crooned fondly, totally ignoring the looks that were being shot to him by his students who were busy wondering if their professor was a nutcase. Who the heck greets a magical creature with "cutie"? Except Hagrid, that is.

"Hey there, England!"

This will be the last chapter before I go off for vacation. Seriously. My typing sucks big time.

OMGitsgreen- I thought about it at first, then decided against it. I've decided to show the magical community that they're not exactly the biggest fish in the sea out there, da?

Reviews are very much appreciated!