Angela Weber and The Half Vampire of Hogwarts
Chapter 2: Preparation
I didn't get much sleep on the plane. There was too much noise and when there didn't seem to be quite as much noise there was heavy turbulence – of course. I arrived in London a groggy mess. I was lucky I was still literate – if you've ever flown to practically the other side of the world you understand.
After finally collecting all my things from the carousel I wandered to the front of the airport where a representative from Hogwarts was supposed to escort me to the school.
It wasn't hard to find him. Even if I hadn't met him before he would have still been obvious considering he stood a good three or four feet over most everyone in the crowd – including me, and I was pretty darn tall.
"Angela Weber!" He coughed out! He wasn't wearing the best attire for blending in – his old ratty coat smelled of dead weasels and his huge scratchy beard couldn't have been more noticeable if it were purple.
"Hagrid." I whispered in response. I didn't want to yell over the crowd.
"'Ow er ya?" He asked, gathering most of my things under one gigantic arm. He reminded me of Jacob Black; the tall and, to be honest buff, animagus from the Quiluete tribe; only a lot taller. But what would you expect from a half-giant.
"I'm fine thank you." I said politely, "You didn't have to do this you know. You must have other things to be doing for... er... the school." I didn't want to say the word out loud with muggle ears around to hear.
"Get-in' ya set-le' in is meh business Angela." Then he laughed heartily, "Ya've gotten' taller ya' know tha'?" I blushed but otherwise said nothing. It really had been a long time since I'd left.
"Still amazes meh. Tha' ya were able ta finish Hogwarts through letta's an' stuff." It still impressed Hagrid – the kindness of Dumbledore's heart.
"I know. I'll be eternally grateful, Dumbledore has been quite a wonderful person to me." Hagrid nodded,
"'e's a good person."
I didn't think "good person" describe Dumbledore well enough.
He'd understood so well when I'd told explained how I needed to be with my family in Forks.
Flashback
"Um... Professor Dumbledore?" I asked tentatively stepping into his office.
"Yes, come in Ms. Weber." He had smiled widely at me and gestured to a comfortable chair placed in front of his large desk. I glanced towards Fawkes – he had recently been reborn, I could tell.
"Sir, I... I'm not returning to Hogwarts next year, sir." He raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Really? Pray-tell why?"
"I'd be starting high school next year if I were at home and – its not that I'm not so very grateful that you extended a school acceptance to so far away, but – I miss my family. My little brothers are so young, they'll need someone to guide them, and both my parents work. I have to be there for them, and I want to experience high school with my human friends. They miss me – its obvious in every letter they send."
Dumbledore nodded seriously, "Family and friends are the most important things, never forget that Angela. Love is the ultimate in weapons, and you seem to understand that. You have perfect grades and not the slightest niche on your record, so I will give you this option:
You may go home to Forks, but continue your studies here through letters. No one will notice a couple owls will they?" He chuckled, "No, I doubt it. Every month a representative from The Ministry or Hogwarts will come to see your progress. Can you handle that?"
My face lit up, and I felt like a giddy little girl.
"Oh Headmaster that would be wonderful!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands together. He chuckled again,
"I'm actually quite interested to see how this program will work. I've been considering it for a while, but I've never had such a wonderful opportunity. I hope you don't mind that I'm using you as guinea pig in this." he looked at me apologetically, but he didn't have to. That was the best thing that could've possibly happened to me.
As soon as my third year at Hogwarts had ended I left England to return to my loved ones at Forks. My parents had been so very thankful to Dumbledore, and so was I.
Sometimes it had been a struggle, but I'd managed to keep up both my Forks High grades and my Hogwarts grades. I was happy, and I was getting degrees from two high schools – one magic, one muggle – a feat never before heard of in the magical world.
Dumbledore had not disappointed. He'd kept his promise, and I'd graduated from Hogwarts a year before my Senior year at Forks High with steady grades – they had not been the best, but still slightly above average.
End Flashback
Now I was about to taste an even bigger reward for all my struggles – a reward perhaps too grand. I was going to be the youngest professor Hogwarts ever had, not to mention the only one to have graduated from the school through letters and monthly progress checks. I'd been given many privileges through the program – getting to use magic at home being one of them.
I smiled to myself as I walked alongside Hagrid. We approached a very large motorbike. He set my things on the back then lifted me up – he needed to, considering the size of the bike – onto the bike. He squeezed in between the handlebars and me. That didn't give me much legroom – or any room really.
After we were out of sight of any muggles he roared the engine even louder and took off into the air. We flew high over the city. Clouds whipped across my face and soaked me all the way through. I was glad my stuff was safely packed in my trunks.
We arrived at the huge and ancient castle a while after. On the last leg of our journey there hadn't been any clouds and the speed of the wind had dried me off. I was glad about that. I didn't want to give a bad first impression. Hagrid took me to Dumbledore's office where I was greeted with the warmest of welcomes.
"Angela!" He smiled widely at me, "I haven't seen you for so long! How are things?"
"I'm quite fine, thank you. Thank you so much for all you've done for me."
"Really, no need for all that. You were more than qualified for the position, plus Hogwarts is such a dangerous place these days. You have heard the Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban yes?" I nodded my head gravely; then I almost laughed as I remembered Jacob Black. It was a bit funny.
"Yes, Sir. I have heard of that. It troubled me a bit, but not as much as those Dementors trouble me."
"Hmm." he said curtly, "The Ministry is tolling my patience that is for sure. What nonsense – having Dementors around will only increase the chance of students getting hurt. Uh... Angela – you'll be having a rather special student this year... I want you to keep a good eye on him. I've asked all the teachers to already, but Harry Potter tends to attract... uh" he chuckled briefly, "trouble."
I gasped, "Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived." Dumbledore laughed again and, after controlling his laughter, nodded.
"Professor McGonagall will show you your quarters, anything else you need?" He added politely.
"Oh! No, nothing at all, thank you." I left his office then and was met by an old teacher – a teacher I remembered quite well.
"Professor McGonagall, how are you?"
"Quite fine, Professor Weber, follow me." Ah, yes, that was just so McGonagall – she never wasted time.
I wasn't sure if I'd be able to navigate the halls of the enormous castle – I'd probably get lost just trying to find the bathroom. I sighed. Then again, I didn't have that bad a sense of direction – not like Bella. But Bella didn't need gracefulness or the natural instinct to not get lost; she had looks, brains, and a protector.
We entered my room – my things were already there, but still waiting to be unpacked – it was larger than I'd expected. Its back wall was a semicircle with a couple high up windows. The floor was carpeted in a dusty blue carpet. To the left of the door was a very large desk adjacent to at least four bookshelves.
I sighed – it was a good thing Bella had helped me with those letters to my family; I wouldn't want to start Hogwarts with carpal tunnel – considering I'd be retiring with it.
"Prepare for your classes – school begins September 1st." with that, um... efficient warning... Professor McGonagall left.
Only a couple days to prepare? Well I suppose my employment at the school was a bit of a last minute thing – not a week after Bella's wedding and I'd gotten a letter from Dumbledore himself practically begging me to become part of the staff – but I didn't realized how little time I actually have to prepare. I shook these pessimistic thoughts from my mind and started to focus, but it wasn't long until I was fast asleep. I woke up the next morning drooling on a new notebook. Great. Now I need to get a new one.
Author's note: Ok, this was basically a filler, though I did add some stuffs that... no it was a filler. Oh well at least you see Angela's character. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment, I'd really like to read what you have to say.